The Russian military satellite Cosmos 2612 performed a maneuver on October 16, 2026, to position itself within 5 kilometers of the ICEYE X36 radar satellite. Analysts describe this as a deliberate approach conducted without the consent of the owner of the U.S. satellite.
ICEYE X36 is a synthetic aperture radar satellite launched in March 2024 via a SpaceX Falcon 9. It operates in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of approximately 545 kilometers. The satellite is part of a fleet that has provided data to Ukraine since 2022.
Space tracking data indicates that Cosmos 2612 adjusted its orbital plane and altitude through a series of burns between September 30 and October 16. Experts note that such proximity maneuvers consume significant amounts of fuel, which is a limited resource for satellites.
This event follows earlier maneuvers by other Russian satellites, including Cosmos 2609, which passed within 2.5 kilometers of the target in May. Analysts are also monitoring Cosmos 2611 and 2613, which are expected to converge on the orbital plane of ICEYE X37 in November.
