⚠️ We've detected a secondary object in close proximity to Object C, a payload released by Russian satellite COSMOS 2570 around October 30. Our radar measurements indicate that this newest object was released by Object C, possibly on November 23 at 14:00 UTC.

2/ Launched in November 2022, COSMOS 2565 has released subsequent payloads COSMOS 2566 and OBJECT D. COSMOS 2565 is believed to be a Lotos-S1 electronic reconnaissance satellite of the Liana system.

3/ COSMOS 2566 is believed to be a satellite carrier and its sub-satellite Object D is believed to be a small electronic reconnaissance satellite.

4/ Given the similarities emerging between COSMOS 2570 and COSMOS 2565, LeoLabs’ analysts expect that Object C and this newest deployed object may be maneuverable.

5/ 🤷‍♀️ Why does this matter? Sub-satellite deployments are important to monitor for space safety and security. These capabilities can be a method of deploying co-orbital ASATs or covert payloads that may pose a risk to sensitive or classified satellites.

6/ We'll continue to closely monitor these spacecraft, as well as perform object characterization and patterns-of-life analysis to further identify their capabilities.