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A recently launched Russian satellite becomes uncomfortable comfortable with a reconnaissance satellite in the United States, leading to the command of space to fear that this will be part of an anti-satellite weapon deployed in orbit.
Cosmos 2588 spear On May 23, with an almost circular orbit, strangely placing it near an American recognition satellite, USA 338. This decision sparked a suspicion that it was an attempt by Russia to deliberately track down the American government’s satellite. This is not the first time that Russia has deployed a sly satellite to follow and allegedly observe another satellite in orbit, but this time, it can be linked to the controversial anti-satellite program of Russia.
“US Space Command may confirm that the recent launch of Russia has put a Russian satellite on an orbit near an American government satellite,” said a space command spokesperson. Defense of rupture. “”Russia continues to seek, develop, test and deploy a series of counter space systems that threaten the security and stability of the field, therefore consistent with all objects in orbit, Usspacecom will continue to monitor behavior or activity related to this launch. »»
Slingshot Aerospace Reports that the alleged espionage satellite, Cosmos 2588, is a military inspection satellite Nivelir probably carrying a kinetic weapon on board. Its alignment with USA 338 “strongly suggests that the Cosmos 2588 could monitor or” hunt “the IT”, wrote the satellite monitoring company in a press release.
Slingshot Aerospace followed the two satellites, revealing that the Cosmos 2588 is in orbit at a slightly higher altitude and that the two objects will have a close -up of the other every four days. The two satellites are closer to 62 miles (100 kilometers) each other, Marco Langbroek, astronomer and expert in awareness of the space situation at the University of Delft technology in the Netherlands, wrote on X.
We don’t know much else about the United States 338 because it does not have orbital data accessible to the public, but it is supposed to be part of the KH-SERIES electro-optical surveillance network, known as Crystal Constellation, according to the Interesting engineering.
This is not the first time that Russia has deployed a satellite in such a goal. In April 2023, a Russian satellite appeared To closely follow a classified American military satellite, and Russia Kosmos 2558, launched in August 2022, was deployed in the same orbital plan As an American military satellite, nicknamed USA 326. In 2020, another Russian satellite, Kosmos 2542, barter USA 245, an electro-optical spy satellite in low terrestrial orbit.
The United States is not completely innocent either. In June 2017, the American military satellite classified USA 276 slipped to the international space station at a distance close to around 4 miles (6.4 kilometers). Earlier in 1998, amateurs discovered An American satellite that would also have been used for space spying purposes.
Russia satellites, however, are part of the country’s efforts to develop an anti-satellite weapon designed to destroy other objects in space. In November 2021, Russia destroyed a late satellite of the Soviet era in low terrestrial orbit, producing thousands of orbital debris. The test has prompted the United Nations to write a resolution against tests of anti-satellite missile systems (ASAT), led by the Biden administration after the United States adopted a self-imposed prohibition of ASAT tests. A total of 155 countries voted in favor of the resolution, while nine voted against it, notably Russia, China, Cuba, Syria and Iran.
“This is the fourth time in five years that they have launched a satellite in coplane orbit with an American optical recognition satellite,” Langbroek wrote on X. “So no, not a simple coincidence but deliberate.”
