The Russian satellite "Kosmos 2612" almost synchronized its trajectory with another satellite, ICEYE-X36, which provides military support to Ukraine, and came as close as possible to the latter.
The Russian satellite "Kosmos 2612" almost synchronized its trajectory with another satellite, ICEYE-X36, which provides military support to Ukraine, and came as close as possible to the latter.
According to the findings of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Self-Preservation community on the X social network, a Russian military satellite is deliberately tracking a Western radar satellite, and keeping these satellites "bumper to bumper" potentially allows Russia to intercept or jam data transmissions, physically inspect certain Western technologies, or quickly deploy to carry out a kinetic or non-kinetic anti-satellite (ASAT) attack.
"Kosmos 2612 performed a series of high-precision maneuvers with high fuel consumption to enter a coplanar orbit that exactly matches the altitude (~555 km), speed, and inclination (~97.8°) of ICEYE-X36. The ICEYE-X36 satellite provides military support to Ukraine," the community stated.
In turn, aerospace analysts and space intelligence company LeoLabs told Axios that this is a rare maneuver that confirms the likelihood of Russian interference in the operation of American space equipment.
Thus, as of Friday, the Russian satellite Kosmos 2612 was approximately three miles from ICEYE-X36, whereas the day before they were more than 200 miles apart.
“Such behavior is ‘relatively rare’ in low Earth orbit,” LeoLabs said in a statement.
Spokespeople for the Finnish-based company ICEYE declined to comment. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian official told Axios that the military is working with the Finnish satellite company and using its capabilities, but did not confirm that the ICEYE-X36 satellite in particular is involved.
According to aerospace analysts, Russia’s willingness to burn the satellite’s fuel and change its altitude and speed to approach ICEYE-X36 is a cause for concern.
“This is all unusual, and it only points to a purposeful interaction between Russia and a Western satellite supporting Ukraine,” said Integrity ISR space analyst Greg Gillinger.
Meanwhile, Russian propaganda media openly boast that the military satellite "Kosmos-2612" has caught up with ICEYE-X36, which they call a "spy satellite."
As dev.ua reported, the new agreement with ICEYE will provide the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine with expanded access to ICEYE’s high-resolution SAR images, which in turn will contribute to faster and more informed tactical decision-making in the field of national security.
