Russian military satellite closes on US commercial spacecraft in orbit
The approach raises fresh questions about how threats to commercial satellites that support Ukraine will be handled.
A Russian military spacecraft recently drew close to a US-registered commercial satellite in orbit, prompting concern from American officials at the UN. The approach occurred roughly 550 kilometres above Earth, and the satellite in question is part of a commercial network that has supported Ukraine. Moscow's representative at the UN later dismissed any cause for alarm, despite a senior Russian diplomat having previously named such networks as targets. The episode raises questions about how orbital threats to commercial space assets will be handled.
Why it matters
Commercial satellite networks are now being treated as potential targets in orbit, and the two sides disagree on what the approach meant. Operators of satellites that have supported Ukraine face a more uncertain environment, and the gap between Washington's concern and Moscow's reassurance leaves the question of how such incidents will be handled unresolved.
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Sources
- Ars Technica