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.
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CM Siddaramaiah urges Centre to eliminate terrorists, ensure Pahalgam like incidents don't repeat
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday paid respects to Bharath Bhushan, who was shot dead in the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu-Kashmir, and urged the central government to eliminate terrorists and ensure that such incidents don't repeat.
Asserting that everyone is with the Centre in its action against the terrorists, he, however, reiterated intelligence failure in stopping the attack from happening.
Bodies of two tourists from Karnataka who were killed by the terrorists in the Pahalgam terror attack were brought to the Kempegowda International Airport here in the early hours on Thursday.
Manjunath Rao and Bharath Bushan were among the 26 people killed in front of their families after confirming their religious identity in Pahalgam on Tuesday. Most of those killed by terrorists were tourists.
While Rao's body was taken to his hometown Shivamogga, Bushan's body was brought to his residence in Bengaluru. The last rites are likely to take place later in the day.
"On behalf of the government and seven crore Kannadigas, I pay my respects to Bharath Bhushan. Still young age, he was 41 years old and a BE, MBA graduate. An untoward incident has happened. This is an inhuman act. I strongly condemn it," Siddaramaiah said.
Speaking to reporters here after paying respects to Bhushan, he said that eliminating terrorists is the responsibility of the government. Terrorism and terrorist activities should have no place in the country.
"For no reason the government (central) should show any discount towards this. We are all with the central government. I urge the Centre to eliminate all terrorists. Our full support is there for this" he added.
Pointing out that innocent people who had gone to Kashmir as tourists were killed in front of their wives and children, the CM said, there cannot be another heinous and inhuman act than this. He further said that he strongly condemned it.
Citing the Pulwama terror incident in which around 40 soldiers were killed, he said, "Now this incident has happened. It should be ensured that such incidents don't repeat. The terrorists should be traced and they should be eliminated from the country. I urge the central government to take such measures. I somewhere feel that there was intelligence failure."
Noting that two people from the state have died and another person from Andhra who was a resident of Bengaluru was also killed and his body has been taken to his home state, Siddaramaiah said, Minister Madhu Bangarappa will be paying respect to Manjunath Rao in Shivamogga, on behalf of the government.
The government has announced Rs 10 lakh each to the family of the deceased, and will always be with them, he said.
A team of officers and Minister Santosh Lad rushed to Jammu and Kashmir to get back bodies to the state, and to ensure the return of Kannadigas who had gone there as tourists. 177 Kannadigas are being brought back. "It is the responsibility of the government," the CM said.
Bharath Bhushan was shot dead by the terrorists while his wife Sujatha and their three-year-old son were spared. While Manjunath Rao, a realtor, was also killed in the presence of his wife and son.
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