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A Russian satellite made an unusually close approach to an American commercial Earth-observation spacecraft in low Earth orbit between October 15 and 19, raising concerns among space security experts about Russia’s potential surveillance activities.
The Russian satellite Kosmos 2612 rendezvoused with ICEYE-X36, a spacecraft operated by the US subsidiary of Finnish company ICEYE, which uses synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to capture images of Earth. Satellite trackers, including Dutch researcher Marco Langbroek, reported the encounter, describing it as a “worrisome cat-and-mouse game” in orbit.
At one point, the two spacecraft may have come within just a few metres of each other, although the exact distance remains uncertain.
Close approaches between satellites are not unprecedented. Russia, the United States and China have all manoeuvred spacecraft near other nations’ satellites in recent years, particularly in geostationary orbit. However, the latest encounter has drawn attention because of its reported proximity and its occurrence in low Earth orbit.
Victoria Samson, chief director of space security and stability at the Secure World Foundation, told Space.com that Russia had previously conducted similar manoeuvres near US reconnaissance satellites, including Kosmos 2543’s approach to USA 245 in January 2020.
ICEYE operates a constellation of around 80 satellites that use radar to observe Earth both day and night, including through clouds. Some of its spacecraft provide imagery to Ukraine, which has been fighting Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
ICEYE signed an agreement in January to continue supplying high-resolution satellite imagery to Ukraine’s defence ministry, supporting Ukrainian forces with battlefield intelligence and situational awareness.
Russia’s interest in ICEYE spacecraft may be linked to their role in supporting Ukraine, although it remains unclear whether ICEYE-X36 is specifically tasked with monitoring Russian or Ukrainian territory.
Kosmos 2612 launched in April 2026 alongside five other spacecraft. In May, four satellites from the group reportedly manoeuvred into orbital planes aligned with ICEYE-X36, a process that requires fuel and deliberate planning.
However, experts say the precise purpose of the latest close approach remains unknown. The manoeuvre appears to have ended, at least for now, but the incident has renewed concerns about the growing risks of satellite surveillance and potentially hostile encounters in space.