US State Department statement on orbital manoeuvre
The department noted that in mid-October, the Russian military satellite "Kosmos-2612" deliberately approached a commercial spacecraft at a dangerously close distance. The State Department emphasised that such actions correspond to operations involving weapons in orbit.
Ownership and functions of the spacecraft
The satellite at the centre of the incident is designated X36 and belongs to the Finnish company ICEYE. This spacecraft generates radar images, which are provided to the governments and armed forces of Western countries, including Ukraine.
Expert assessment of the situation
Three experts in the field of space technology called this incident one of the closest known approaches of a Russian military satellite to a commercial spacecraft in low Earth orbit. Greg Gillingham, a senior space analyst at Integrity ISR, stated: "Схоже на репетицію атаки" (Looks like a rehearsal for an attack).
Meanwhile, specialists emphasise that the fact of the approach itself is not direct evidence of an intention to attack. The ICEYE spacecraft continues to function, but other Russian space objects are already performing manoeuvres near another satellite of the company.
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