Kosmos 2553

Kosmos 2553 (Russian: Космос 2553) is a Russian satellite launched on February 5, 2022, by the Air and Space Forces of Russia. The satellite was delivered into orbit by a Soyuz-2.1a rocket with the assistance of a Fregat booster.



Launch Details
The launch took place at 10:00 MSK (07:00 UTC) from launch pad No. 43 of the launch complex No. 4 at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. After the successful launch, the satellite was cataloged in the Main Catalogue of Space Objects by the Russian space surveillance system.

Orbital Details
Kosmos 2553 orbits the Earth with the following parameters:


 * NORAD ID: 51511
 * International Designator: 2022-011A
 * Perigee (closest point to Earth): 1,999.8 km
 * Apogee (farthest point from Earth): 2,006.8 km
 * Inclination: 67.1°
 * Orbital Period: 127.1 minutes
 * Semi-Major Axis: 8374 km

Mission objectives
A February 2022 article from russianforces.org announcing the launch of Kosmos 2553 attributes the following English quote about the satellite's mission to the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD): "Technological spacecraft [...] equipped with newly developed onboard instruments and systems for testing them under the influence of radiation and heavy charged particles." As of May 2024, the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive (NSSDCA) states only that "Cosmos 2553 is a Russian military reconnaissance satellite designed by NPO Mashinostroyeniya, possibly a radar reconnaissance satellite."

Neitron Radar System
Kosmos 2553 allegedly is to be part of Russia's Neitron (Нейтрон "neutron") radar system, a new generation of radar satellites developed to improve Russia's remote sensing capabilities. The satellite, built by NPO Mashinostroeniya, is intended to enhance situational awareness, early warning, and target tracking capabilities under challenging conditions. The Neitron system represents a significant step in Russia's efforts to bolster its space-based radar capabilities, which have lagged behind those of other global powers.

Controversy
Despite these official statements, there has been significant international concern and speculation regarding the true purpose of Kosmos 2553:

Anti-Satellite Weapon Development
According to U.S. officials, Kosmos 2553 is linked to a Russian program aimed at developing a nuclear anti-satellite weapon (ASAT). The satellite is believed to serve as a research and development platform for non-nuclear components of this potential weapon system. This concern was further underscored by Rep. Mike Turner, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who issued statements in February 2024 about a serious national security threat related to Russia's nuclear space ambitions. On 15 Feb 2024, The White House confirmed that U.S. intelligence had evidence that Russia is developing an ASAT weapon that “would be a violation of the Outer Space Treaty, to which more than 130 countries have signed up to, including Russia.”

Strategic Military Applications
Reports indicate that if developed and deployed, the nuclear anti-satellite weapon associated with Kosmos 2553 could have the capability to destroy hundreds of satellites in low Earth orbit with a nuclear explosion. This would significantly disrupt satellite operations, particularly those used by the U.S. government and commercial entities like SpaceX's Starlink network. The Wall Street Journal article emphasized the potential strategic threat posed by such a weapon and detailed the satellite's unusual orbit and its role in testing non-nuclear components of the weapon system. These concerns have been further highlighted in recent statements by U.S. intelligence officials and congressional leaders.

Russia's April 2024 UN Security Council Outer Space Treaty Veto
In April 2024, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution aimed at strengthening the 1967 Outer Space Treaty's prohibitions on placing nuclear weapons in space.