✉news ScienceSpace Policy first seen 1 d ago, last 9 h ago, peak #6
Russia's Luch/Olymp Satellites Shadowed Western Communications Satellites for a Decade
Original: Russia's Luch/Olymp Satellites Spent a Decade Parking Next to the West's Comsats
Russia's Luch/Olymp satellites reportedly spent roughly ten years manoeuvring into close proximity with Western communications satellites in geostationary orbit. The spacecraft, officially described as inspection or relay satellites, have long been suspected of serving an intelligence-gathering role, eavesdropping on neighbouring satellites' transmissions. The decade-long pattern highlights ongoing concerns about hostile activities in orbit and the lack of agreed norms for close-approach behaviour between nations' space assets.
Why now: Renewed attention to space security and Russian orbital activities has put the satellites' decade of close approaches back in the conversation.
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