Russia Loses Contact With Satellite After Rocket Launch
Russia lost contact with a new communications satellite shortly after its Wednesday launch. The Express-AM4 satellite may be lost due to a rocket upper stage malfunction.
www.space.comHere are the latest publicly reported items on Russian satellites:
- Recent discussions center on Cosmos 2553, a Russian satellite launched in 2022. U.S. analysts and space-tracking firms have described it as tumbling or spinning in orbit, which has led to speculation that it may no longer be operational. This characterization appears in analyses reported in 2024–2025 by space-tracking firms and think tanks. [cite ][cite ]
- In 2024, US officials and media described new Russian satellites as potentially capable of counter-space activities, fueling ongoing concern about space-domain threats from Russia. This includes references to satellites launched in May 2024 and related statements by U.S. Space Command and other agencies. [cite ][cite ]
- Earlier coverage from 2020–2021 noted Russian satellites that were described as potentially dual-use or capable of inspecting other spacecraft, contributing to a broader context of military-space activity. [cite ][cite ]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent, specific articles from reputable outlets (Reuters, BBC, Space.com, etc.) and summarize their key claims with direct quotes and dates. I can also watch for any new developments over the next day or two and deliver a concise update. Would you like me to do that? [cite ][cite ]