Russian Military Satellite Came Dangerously Close to Commercial Satellite, US Official Says
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell said this could be the first rendezvous of two active satellites where the owner of one of those satellites did not give approval.
TL;DR
- A Russian military satellite, COSMOS 2612, came dangerously close to a commercial satellite.
- U.S. officials described the behavior as consistent with "on-orbit weapons operations."
- This maneuver violates long-established safety thresholds in low Earth orbit.
- The United States stated it will continue to secure and defend its national security interests in space.
- The COSMOS 2612 maneuver was revealed at the U.N. General Assembly's First Committee.