The Russian satellite Kosmos 2612 performed a series of controlled maneuvers toward the ICEYE-X36 commercial imaging satellite, which is owned by the US subsidiary of the Finnish firm ICEYE. According to LeoLabs, the Russian spacecraft approached within 500 meters of the target and maintained a position nearby for an extended period before beginning its departure.
Kosmos 2612 was launched in April on a Soyuz rocket. Tracking data indicates that at least four satellites from this launch adjusted their orbits to align with ICEYE-X36. By last Friday, the Russian craft was holding a station 2 to 3 kilometers away from the target, eventually closing the distance to less than 500 meters over the weekend.
Experts note that this event represents the first instance of a rendezvous between two active satellites in low-Earth orbit without the consent of the owner of the targeted craft. As of Monday, Kosmos 2612 is moving away from the ICEYE satellite at a relative velocity of approximately 17 kilometers per hour.
ICEYE provides radar imaging data to various military users, including Ukraine and the US military. While a Russian official previously labeled civilian satellites supporting Ukraine as legitimate targets, an ICEYE US spokesperson stated that the company is monitoring the situation and that its constellation architecture is designed for resilience.
