\n A rare move by a Russian-made satellite may have brought it within less than a mile of a commercial Earth-observation satellite that may be used to provide national security services to countries such as Ukraine.\n <\/p>\n
\n It\u2019s not clear what, exactly, the Russian satellite, called Kosmos 2612 or Cosmos 2612, intended to accomplish with its close approach. But the behavior was consistent with rendezvous and proximity operations, or maneuvers carried out in orbit that are designed to bring two spacecraft together, said orbital monitoring services company LeoLabs, which tracks space junk and activity in Earth orbit, in a statement.\n <\/p>\n
\n \u201cWhile the intent remains uncertain, the behavior warrants continued monitoring,\u201d LeoLabs added in the statement.\n <\/p>\n
\n While rendezvousing or docking two vehicles together happens all the time in space \u2014 Kosmos 2612\u2019s actions could mark the first time that one spacecraft approached another without permission, noted Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist and space analyst, in a post<\/a> on social media.\n <\/p>\n \n The observation satellite, called Iceye-X36, is operated by Iceye, a multinational company with offices in the United States, Finland and several other countries across Europe and Asia.\n <\/p>\n \n The company said in a statement Monday, \u201cWe are aware of the situation and tracking it closely. Our constellation architecture is designed for continuity and resilience.\u201d A spokesperson declined to comment further.\n <\/p>\n \n Iceye-X36 uses synthetic aperture radar, or SAR, technology, which \u201cenables high resolution imagery to be created night or day, regardless of weather conditions,\u201d according to NASA<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n \n Iceye\u2019s satellite constellation has been used to support \u201cthe Ukrainian Armed Forces with persistent situational awareness on tactical timelines,\u201d according to a January news release<\/a> that detailed an expanded agreement between the company and Ukraine. It was not immediately clear whether ICEYE-X36, specifically, was used to support Ukrainian military operations. Iceye declined to comment.\n <\/p>\n