Mysterious object released by Russian 'Kosmos' satellites sparks global curiosity
Moscow: A group of Russian satellites launched earlier this year has drawn international attention after one of them released an unidentified object in orbit, raising questions about its purpose.
The satellites — Kosmos 2581, 2582, and 2583 — were launched in early February from Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome and are currently positioned in near-polar orbits approximately 585 kilometres above the Earth. Although Moscow has not publicly disclosed the mission’s objectives, recent developments have triggered speculation among space agencies and analysts.
On 18 March, global tracking networks, including the U.S. Space Force, detected a new object in orbit. Initially believed to have originated from Kosmos 2581, the object was later linked to Kosmos 2583. The deployment of the object while the satellite cluster remained operational is considered unusual in conventional satellite missions.
Before this incident, experts had already noted that the Kosmos satellites were conducting "proximity operations" — manoeuvring near other objects in space. Such behaviour is rarely associated with routine satellite activity, hinting at a potentially strategic or experimental role.
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics commented that these controlled movements suggest the satellites are engaged in more than basic space observation. In an interview with Space.com, he indicated a possible military or research-related purpose.
Theories surrounding the released object range from a component for formation-flying tests to a military payload. While the possibility of mechanical malfunction has not been ruled out, experts note that such failures usually result in multiple fragments — none of which have been detected.
Russia’s long-standing use of the "Kosmos" designation for both scientific and defence missions, often cloaked in secrecy, continues to fuel speculation. Launching satellites in trios is not uncommon and has previously been adopted by other nations like the United States and China for surveillance or coordinated experiments.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Andhra to be developed as knowledge, creator economy hub: CM Naidu
New Delhi/Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the state is taking steps to transform itself into a knowledge and creator economy hub with a strong focus on artificial intelligence and quantum technology.
He noted that Andhra Pradesh has abundant tech-driven youth and the government is formulating plans to train them in futuristic technologies with support from global technology firms.
"Our goal is to transform Andhra Pradesh into a knowledge hub by focusing on AI, quantum computing, data centres, drone cities and space cities. The youth will remain our biggest asset over the next 25 years, and we seek global partnerships to scale up the creator economy," said Naidu during his interactions at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.
Naidu, who participated in the summit in the national capital, also held meetings with several global technology leaders and industrialists to explore collaborations in artificial intelligence, clean energy and innovation ecosystems.
He met Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, Autodesk AI Head Mike Haley, Aramco India Director Abdul Rehman AiThukair, LEGO Education Vice President Tom Hall, Aadhaar Founder and CTO Srikanth Nadhamuni, Khosla Ventures Managing Partner Vinod Khosla and others at the AP Pavilion.
The chief minister also held discussions with Saudi Aramco representatives on clean energy projects, including solar initiatives, and invited the company to expand operations in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the state is highly suitable for green energy production.
He sought support from NVIDIA Vice President Callista Redmond for establishing AI Living Labs and proposed partnerships through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub to promote youth innovation, including collaborations with IIT Tirupati and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati under the Andhra Pradesh Future Innovation and Research for Science and Technology (AP FIRST) initiative.
Naidu urged Autodesk leadership to support the development of Global Capability Centres in design engineering and requested the establishment of an Innovation Academy in Amaravati aligned with quantum technology, besides proposing AI and robotics learning labs in partnership with LEGO Education.
He also discussed AI-driven smart governance solutions with Quantela Inc Chairman Sridhar Gadhi, while World Bank Group Digital AI Regional Director Mahesh Uttamchandani met Naidu on the sidelines of the summit.
Following the meetings, Naidu visited various exhibition stalls at the summit, including those of NVIDIA, Tata, Intel and Microsoft, and reviewed AI applications across agriculture, healthcare and industry.
