'Whatever Russia is testing, it's sophisticated': 2 Russian satellites get within 10 feet of each other in orbit
space.com·May 6, 2026
An Angara rocket successfully launched the COSMOS 2560 satellite from Plesetsk Cosmodrome on October 15, 2022, followed by the launch of COSMOS 2581, 2582, and 2583 in February 2025, which conducted advanced rendezvous operations in orbit.
The sophisticated rendezvous operations performed by the COSMOS 2581, 2582, and 2583 satellites demonstrate advancements in orbital maneuvering capabilities, highlighting potential opportunities for collaborations or innovations in autonomous satellite operations and space traffic management. This could be pivotal for commercial space ventures aiming to improve satellite deployment efficiency and reduce space debris.