A Russian satellite approached an American satellite in space, sparking fears of hostile actions and raising questions about the militarization of orbit.
Russian satellite approaches American one
Last week, a Russian military satellite named Cosmos 2612 came close to an American satellite, ICEYE-X36, in low Earth orbit, raising concerns about possible hostile actions in space. The event has drawn attention from experts and organizations monitoring space activities.Satellite distance changes dramatically
According to LeoLabs, a Finnish startup that tracks objects in orbit, the two satellites were about 5 kilometers apart on October 16, 2026, compared to more than 320 kilometers the previous day. This change in distance suggests a deliberate maneuver, as it required significant fuel to adjust the satellite's orbit.Concerns raised by astronomers
On October 17, Dutch astronomer Marco Langbroek expressed concerns on X (formerly Twitter), pointing out that Cosmos 2612 had performed a rendezvous and proximity operation (RPO) without the consent of ICEYE-X36's operator. ICEYE-X36 is a radar satellite launched in 2024 by ICEYE Oy, a Finnish company known for its high-precision imaging capabilities.Ukraine's use of the satellite
ICEYE-X36 is capable of capturing images through clouds and darkness, which makes it valuable for military intelligence. Ukraine has been using images from ICEYE satellites since 2022, including those from a satellite purchased through a donation drive. ICEYE confirmed that the Ukrainian military continues to use its services, though the specific role of ICEYE-X36 remains unclear.Russian satellites align with target
Cosmos 2612 was launched in April 2026 from Plesetsk, Russia, along with five other military satellites. By May 2026, five of these satellites had changed their orbital planes to align with ICEYE-X36. One of them came within about 2.5 kilometers of ICEYE-X36 on May 26, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).Final approach begins in September
The final approach to ICEYE-X36 began in late September 2026. According to Langbroek, Cosmos 2612 made several maneuvers on September 30, October 12, 15, and 16 to align its orbit with ICEYE-X36. On October 17, LeoLabs measured the distance between the two satellites as approximately 4.8 kilometers, indicating a deliberate approach.Unprecedented event noted
Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist, noted that this was an unprecedented event, as no prior instances of such close encounters between active satellites without the consent of one of the owners had been recorded. The event has sparked discussions about the nature of the maneuver, with some speculating it could be an inspection, intimidation, or even an anti-satellite (ASAT) operation.No confirmed damage yet
As of the latest update on October 18, there were no signs that ICEYE-X36's trajectory had been disturbed, and its operational status remains unknown. ICEYE has not confirmed whether the satellite is still functioning. While the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibits nuclear weapons in orbit, it does not set minimum distances between satellites, leaving the legality of such maneuvers ambiguous.Growing concerns about space warfare
The incident highlights growing concerns about space warfare and the potential militarization of space, as major powers have been preparing for such scenarios for years. The U.S. Army has admitted to possessing weapons in orbit, and the use of space-based assets in the conflict in Ukraine, such as Starlink, has become increasingly significant.
