A trio of secretive Russian satellites launched earlier this year has released a mysterious object into orbit, sparking interest among space trackers and analysts.
The three satellites rocket Earth
In March, the satellites appeared to be conducting potential proximity operations
Following this, the U.S. Space Force possibly released
Russia has provided no details about the satellites and their mission. Many Kosmos missions are classified.
The released object could be used for a number of objectives, including military experiments, such as satellite inspection or target practice, testing technology for docking or formation flying. It may also be a scientific payload or even the result of an unintentional fragmentation, though this would usually result in numerous pieces of debris.
Related: Pentagon space chief condemns ‘irresponsible’ launch of Russian inspector satellite
The Kosmos (or Cosmos) designation has been used by the Soviet Union and later Russia for a very wide range of military and scientific satellites since 1962. The satellites have covered a range of apparent uses, some of which are experimental, secret, or part of military programs, including early ASAT satellite inspection
Satellite trios flying in formation in orbit is not unusual. Both the United States (for example, the Naval Ocean Surveillance System) and China (Yaogan
However, it remains to be seen what the three Kosmos satellites and their new companion will get up to in orbit.
