U.S. radar satellite ICEYE-X36 tracked by Russian Cosmos-2612 in orbit

Russia’s Cosmos-2612 satellite has changed its orbit repeatedly to approach ICEYE-X36, a commercial radar-imaging satellite registered in the U.S. and whose operator currently supplies data to Ukraine

Source

The Hindu — Science & Tech →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01Russia's Cosmos-2612 satellite has been observed changing its orbit repeatedly to approach ICEYE-X36, a commercial radar-imaging satellite registered in the U.S.
02ICEYE-X36 is a commercial radar-imaging satellite operated by Finnish-American space company ICEYE and supplies data to Ukraine.
03The satellites came within 1-2 km of each other, highlighting escalating space-based confrontation amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
04COSMOS 2612 passed within 578 m of ICEYE-X36 at an altitude of ~547 km and a closing speed of 0.00 km/s.
05Four Russian military satellites have carried out a series of orbital maneuvers to bring them into close proximity with ICEYE-X36.
06ICEYE-X36 is a commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite that provides high-resolution, all-weather intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data.
07The incident highlights the increasing tensions and competition in space between Russia and the U.S.
08The Russian military satellite Cosmos-2612 has successfully matched the orbital plane and altitude of ICEYE-X36.

Trap alerts

Most people think this is a one-time incident, but actually, it is part of a series of orbital maneuvers by Russian military satellites.
Most people think the satellites are just passing close to each other, but actually, they are engaging in a form of space-based confrontation.
Most people think this is unrelated to the Russia-Ukraine war, but actually, it is a symptom of the escalating tensions between the two nations.

Mains Practice Question

Critically examine the implications of a Russian military satellite stalking a U.S. radar-imaging satellite in orbit, particularly in the context of space security and international relations.

250 words

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Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

ICEYE-X36 is a commercial satellite of which type?

A.Radar-imaging satellite
B.Communication satellite
C.Weather satellite
D.Navigation satellite

ICEYE-X36 is a commercial radar-imaging satellite, designed to provide high-resolution images for various applications, including military and civilian uses.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Russian Military Satellite Activities: 1. Russia's Cosmos-2612 satellite has been involved in an incident with a U.S. satellite. 2. The orbit of Russia's Cosmos-2612 satellite has been changed repeatedly to approach a U.S. satellite. 3. The operator of ICEYE-X36 supplies data to the U.S. government. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is true because the fact list mentions an incident involving Russia's Cosmos-2612 satellite and a U.S. satellite. Statement 2 is true because the fact list states that the orbit of Russia's Cosmos-2612 satellite has been changed repeatedly. Statement 3 is false because the fact list only mentions that the operator of ICEYE-X36 currently supplies data to Ukraine, not the U.S. government.

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