A Russian military satellite, Kosmos 2612, has recently maneuvered in close proximity to the ICEYE-X36, a commercial Earth-imaging satellite. This event, reported by LeoLabs, represents the first known unsanctioned rendezvous in low-Earth orbit. Kosmos 2612 approached ICEYE-X36 from hundreds of kilometers away, maneuvered around it, and remained nearby for an extended period before moving away. US military officials have been monitoring Kosmos 2612 since its launch in April.
Key facts
- Kosmos 2612 is a Russian military satellite launched in April 2026.
- The satellite approached ICEYE-X36, a US-operated commercial imaging satellite.
- This incident is the first known unsanctioned rendezvous in low-Earth orbit.
- Kosmos 2612 closed from hundreds of kilometers to extreme proximity of ICEYE-X36.
- At least four of the six satellites from the April launch adjusted orbits to track ICEYE-X36.
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