Russian satellite moves extremely close to radar satellite used by Ukraine
A Russian satellite moved within about 500 meters of a commercial radar satellite used by Ukraine, tracking firm LeoLabs said, CNN, Ars Technica and Breaking Defense reported. It stayed close through the weekend and then moved away. Analysts said it may be the first such approach in low orbit without the owner's consent.
A Russian satellite carried out a series of close maneuvers around a commercial radar imaging satellite believed to support Ukraine, coming within roughly 500 meters of it, tracking firm LeoLabs said Monday, according to CNN, Ars Technica and Breaking Defense.
On October 15, Kosmos 2612 made a swift approach to ICEYE-X36, closing from 350 kilometers to less than 5 kilometers by early October 16, CNN reported, citing LeoLabs. It then held a close position through the weekend, LeoLabs said. "Analysis indicates that it approached to within roughly 500 meters during part of the event," LeoLabs said, adding that the estimates carry uncertainty, CNN reported. LeoLabs' Adam Marsh said the satellites were "likely quite a bit closer than that," Ars Technica reported.
By Monday, Kosmos 2612 had begun moving away, CNN and Ars Technica reported. Its intent is unclear, CNN reported. LeoLabs said the maneuvers could be used to "inspect, characterize, shadow, or potentially interfere with another spacecraft," but did not establish hostile intent, CNN reported.
"This is the most advanced and potentially dangerous uncooperative RPO we've observed," Marsh said, using the term for rendezvous and proximity operations, Breaking Defense reported. Victoria Samson of the Secure World Foundation said she did not think there had ever been an uncoordinated approach that close, Breaking Defense reported. Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell wrote on X that it appeared to be the first rendezvous of two active satellites in low Earth orbit without the approval of one owner, Ars Technica reported.
ICEYE-X36 is operated by ICEYE, a Finnish-founded company with offices in the US and elsewhere, CNN reported. ICEYE's satellites have supported Ukraine's armed forces, but it was not clear whether X36 itself had, CNN reported. "We are aware of the situation and tracking it closely," the company said, according to CNN. CNN reported that it had asked Russia's Defense Ministry and space agency for comment.
Kosmos 2612 launched in April, and at least four of the six satellites from that launch later lined up their orbits with ICEYE-X36, Ars Technica reported.
What we know: LeoLabs tracked Kosmos 2612 holding close to ICEYE-X36 for days before it moved away.
What we don't: What Russia intended, and exactly how close the satellites came.
Where outlets agree CNN, Ars Technica and Breaking Defense report that LeoLabs tracked Russia's Kosmos 2612 maneuvering within roughly 500 meters of ICEYE-X36 before moving away.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.