. 24/7 Space News .
SPACEWAR
Russian satellites tracking U.S. spy satellite, Space Force chief says
by Ed Adamczyk
Washington DC (UPI) Feb 11, 2020

.

The U.S. Space Force is watching two Russian satellites which appear to be observing a U.S. satellite at close range, Gen. John "Jay" Raymond said on Monday.

Kosmos 2542, which was launched in November and split into two separate satellites when it reached earth orbit, is in the same plane as USA 245, a secretive satellite launched in 2013 by the National Reconnaissance Office. Both the Russian and U.S. spacecraft travel in a plane between 250 and 550 miles above the earth's surface, where many of about 2,200 orbiting craft reside. The Russian and U.S. satellites pass each other, approximately every 10 days, but on Jan. 20 the Russian spacecraft came within 100 miles of the U.S. craft.

"We view this behavior as unusual and disturbing," Raymond, commander of the U.S. Air Force Space Command told Time. "It has the potential to create a dangerous situation in space."

Kosmos is a small "inspection satellite," capable of using thrusters to maneuver close to other spacecraft for observation. USA 245 is one of four NRO spy satellites used to photograph various parts of Earth, notably U.S. enemies.

Russia's motive for the satellite stalking is unknown, and some observers have noted that satellites like Kosmos could be equipped with weapons, including lasers and explosives. It is the first time that space is the arena for an encounter similar to those of fighter planes or warships between the United States and an enemy.

Prior to the Kosmos launch, the Russian Defense Minister announced the satellite would be used to inspect other spacecraft, but it was presumed it would be checking other Russian space hardware and not U.S. spy satellites. Additionally, there is no protocol in place for limiting distances between rival spacecraft in space.

"One of the big concerns is that we don't have any agreed rules or norms about how these close approaches should be done," said Brian Weeden of the Secure World Federation, a cybersecurity industry group. "That means an increased risk someone might get the wrong perception about what's going on, perhaps even mistaking it for an attack."

Source: United Press International


Related Links
United States Space Force
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


SPACEWAR
Orbit Logic supporting SSCI for DARPA Blackjack Pit Boss
Greenbelt MD (SPX) Feb 06, 2020
Orbit Logic has announced today that they are a member of the Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI) Blackjack Pit Boss team for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The DARPA Blackjack program aims to demonstrate the capabilities of a proliferated low Earth orbit (P-LEO) system through a variety of on-orbit experiments using 20 low-cost small satellites, each carrying payloads relevant to select military missions. Pit Boss is the computing and encryption hardware and modular so ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACEWAR
The science behind and beyond Luca's mission

Record-Setting NASA Astronaut, Crewmates Return from Space Station

AdvancingX announces collaborative agreement with ISS National Lab

Space station to forge ultra-fast connections

SPACEWAR
Getting your payload to orbit

NASA, Europe space agency launch Solar Orbiter mission

India, Russia Agree to Develop Advanced Ignition Systems to Propel Futuristic Rockets, Missiles

Systima Technologies expands workforce to support hypersonic programs

SPACEWAR
Mars 2020 equipped with laser vision and better mics

MAVEN explores Mars to understand radio interference at Earth

Mars' water was mineral-rich and salty

Russian scientists propose manned Base on Martian Moon to control robots remotely on red planet

SPACEWAR
China's Long March-5B carrier rocket arrives at launch site

China to launch more space science satellites

China's space station core module, manned spacecraft arrive at launch site

China to launch Mars probe in July

SPACEWAR
Maxar Technologies will build Intelsat Epic geostationary communications satellite with NASA hosted payload

Arianespace and Starsem launch 34 OneWeb satellites to help bridge the digital divide

Australia's first space incubator seeks global applicants for 2020 program

RUAG Space dispenses another batch of Airbus OneWeb satellites

SPACEWAR
First time controlling two spacecraft with one dish

Fastest high-precision 3D printer

Researchers report progress on molecular data storage system

AFRL, partners develop innovative tools to accelerate composites certification

SPACEWAR
Distant giant planets form differently than 'failed stars'

CHEOPS space telescope takes its first pictures

NASA's Webb will seek atmospheres around potentially habitable exoplanets

To make amino acids, just add electricity

SPACEWAR
Pluto's icy heart makes winds blow

Why Uranus and Neptune are different

Seeing stars in 3D: The New Horizons Parallax Program

Looking back at a New Horizons New Year's to remember









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.