Science & Tech · Space · 7 hrs ago
Russian satellite makes close approach to commercial satellite linked to Ukraine
Russia’s Cosmos-2612 manoeuvred close to ICEYE-X36, a commercial radar-imaging satellite, in orbit about 550 kilometres above Earth.
ICEYE-X36 was built by a Finnish company and is registered in the United States; its operator supplies radar data to Ukraine, though public information does not confirm that this specific satellite is used by Ukraine.
Russia has not disclosed Cosmos-2612’s mission or equipment.
Its repeated changes in altitude and orbit brought the satellites within a few kilometres, with observers reporting different closest-distance estimates.
Such close approaches can be used for inspection or repair, but there is no indication ICEYE-X36’s operators agreed to this one.
No attack or collision had been confirmed by the time of the reports.
A collision could create debris that threatens other spacecraft, while the manoeuvres have raised concern about military pressure on satellites supporting Ukraine.
The satellite’s capabilities and Russia’s intentions remain unclear, and the reports do not say what action will follow.
Russia’s Cosmos-2612 made a series of manoeuvres to approach ICEYE-X36, a commercial radar-imaging satellite whose operator supplies data to Ukraine.
Observers reported different estimates of the satellites’ separation, ranging from 578 metres to several kilometres.
The close approach was observed on October 16 and continued into the night before Sunday, October 18.
There was no confirmed attack on ICEYE-X36 as of the time reported by The Hindu on October 18.
Experts warned that the manoeuvres could pose collision risks, but Russia has not disclosed Cosmos-2612’s mission or capabilities.
- Who
- Russia’s military satellite Cosmos-2612 and the commercial radar-imaging satellite ICEYE-X36.
- What
- Cosmos-2612 manoeuvred to approach and follow ICEYE-X36. No attack was established in The Hindu’s report.
- When
- The approach was observed on October 16 and continued into the night before October 18.
- Where
- In orbit, at about 547 to 550 kilometres above Earth.
- Why
- The purpose is not stated. Observers and experts raised the possibility that the manoeuvres were intended to interfere with a satellite linked to support for Ukraine.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russia launched Cosmos-2612 as one of six military satellites.
Cosmos-2612 began a new programme of orbital manoeuvres, according to The Hindu.
Cosmos-2612 descended to move closer to ICEYE-X36.
Further manoeuvres brought the satellites closer; Nikkei reported that they were 4.8 kilometres apart on the afternoon of October 16.
Marco Langbroek estimated that the satellites were 1–2 kilometres apart late in the day.
Bild reported an approach of 578 metres, while The Hindu said no attack had been established as of 10 am IST.
- Russian satellite
- Cosmos-2612
- Commercial satellite
- ICEYE-X36
- Altitude
- About 547 to 550 kilometres
- Nikkei estimate
- 4.8 kilometres apart on October 16
- Bild estimate
- 578 metres apart
- ICEYE-X36 launch
- March 2024
4 sources
What people are saying
Initially I was skeptic whether #ICEYEX36 really was an intentional target: but a series of manoeuvers by #Kosmos2612 starting on Sept 30, were clearly designed to bring the two objects very close and synchronise their orbital periods, orbital altitude and eccentricity:
Coming so close and acting so demonstratively is not an inspection, but a show of power. It shows that Cosmos 2612 could hit ICEYE at any time.
This is an extremely dangerous course of action, because a single mistake could have global consequences for generations.
It is as close as two cars with their bumpers touching.
Posts on X
2/x Initially I was skeptic whether #ICEYEX36 really was an intentional target: but a series of manoeuvers by #Kosmos2612 starting on Sept 30, were clearly designed to bring the two objects very close and synchronise their orbital periods, orbital altitude and eccentricity:
Short time-lapse of part of this morning’s first pass of ICEYE-X36 (59103) and COSMOS 2612 (68762) over South America under partly cloudy skies.