Over the last few years Earth-based telescopes and orbital cameras have spotted two Russian satellites, Luch-1 and Luch-2, making a number of suspicious manoeuvres in orbit. In particular, they have been seen making close approaches to Europe’s most important, if elderly, geostationary satellites. These include Intelsat 39, which orbits high enough above the Earth that it appears to be stationary above a single point on the Earth’s surface. Such a lofty perch makes them ideal platforms for communication, navigation and military purposes. And a prized potential target for a would-be adversary.
