Russian spacecraft maneuvers in "extreme proximity" to satellite used by Ukraine
Summary
A Russian military satellite, Kosmos 2612, moved very close to a U.S.-operated commercial imaging satellite called ICEYE-X36 without permission. This is the first known case of such a close and controlled approach between active satellites in low-Earth orbit where one owner did not approve the encounter.Key Facts
- Kosmos 2612 was launched by Russia in April on a Soyuz rocket.
- It approached the ICEYE-X36 satellite, which is operated by a U.S. company, to within a few hundred meters and stayed nearby for several days.
- ICEYE-X36 is a commercial radar imaging satellite owned by the Finnish company ICEYE, with a U.S. subsidiary owning the specific satellite.
- The Russian maneuvers included controlled changes in position and prolonged close proximity, showing advanced space operations.
- LeoLabs, a company that tracks objects in space using radar, identified and reported the event.
- Satellites often pass near each other by accident, but such close, deliberate, and extended proximity without consent is unusual in low-Earth orbit.
- ICEYE satellites provide important intelligence to military users, including Ukraine.
- Kosmos 2612 has now begun moving away from the ICEYE satellite.
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