A Russian military satellite has executed an unprecedented, unapproved close approach to a U.S.-registered commercial radar satellite that belongs to a fleet supporting Ukraine’s military intelligence.
Public orbital tracking data reveals that the Russian satellite, Kosmos 2612, shifted its position from over 200 miles away to trail the ICEYE-X36 satellite. Experts from the space intelligence firm LeoLabs noted that the maneuvering was a deliberate “stationkeeping” effort. While tracking data shows the satellites closed within 3 miles of each other, some independent orbital tracking estimates suggest they may have come as close as a few hundred meters—with some reports indicating an incredibly tight miss distance of 30 to 100 feet.
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By ‘provocative’ does it mean it was waving its solar panels at the US satellite and sending signals, ‘Hey big guy, come over here with me!’
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A Russian military satellite has executed an unprecedented, unapproved close approach to a U.S.-registered commercial radar satellite that belongs to a fleet supporting Ukraine’s military intelligence.
Public orbital tracking data reveals that the Russian satellite, Kosmos 2612, shifted its position from over 200 miles away to trail the ICEYE-X36 satellite. Experts from the space intelligence firm LeoLabs noted that the maneuvering was a deliberate “stationkeeping” effort. While tracking data shows the satellites closed within 3 miles of each other, some independent orbital tracking estimates suggest they may have come as close as a few hundred meters—with some reports indicating an incredibly tight miss distance of 30 to 100 feet.
By ‘provocative’ does it mean it was waving its solar panels at the US satellite and sending signals, ‘Hey big guy, come over here with me!’