Map Shows How Russian Military Satellite Got Within Meters of US Spacecraft
Russian military satellite Kosmos-2612 came close to Finnish-U.S. satellite ICEYE-X36 last weekend.
A map has revealed the proximity of a Russian satellite to a U.S.-financed Ukrainian intelligence spacecraft. The Kosmos-2612 Russian satellite came within meters of the Finnish ICEYE-X36 satellite last weekend, a space expert told Newsweek. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and space analyst, emphasized the need for international norms governing the distance between spacecraft.
The incident highlights the potential risks of shadowing, where one satellite closely follows another without permission. The exact distance of the closest approach remains unconfirmed, but it could have been as close as 8.8 meters. Shadowing allows for studying a satellite's design and operations, posing security concerns. The encounter raises questions about potential Russian motives, such as intimidation or interference.
ICEYE-X36, launched in March 2024, supports Ukraine's war effort with high-resolution SAR imagery. The incident underscores the importance of international cooperation to establish guidelines for safe satellite operations.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
