On May 23, Russia launches satellite Cosmos 2588 into orbit near US reconnaissance satellite USA 338, prompting concerns from US Space Command that the satellite may be part of a deliberate anti-satellite surveillance or weapons program.
The tactic has raised suspicions that Russia is intentionally attempting to shadow the US government satellite. While Russia has previously deployed satellites suspected of trailing and monitoring others in orbit, this instance may be linked to its controversial anti-satellite technology
program.
“US Space Command can confirm Russia’s recent launch put a Russian satellite into an orbit near a US government satellite,” a Space Command spokesperson told Breaking Defense.
“Russia continues to research, develop, test, and deploy a suite of counter space systems that threaten the safety and the stability of the domain.”
Russia’s satellite tracking firm Slingshot Aerospace reported that Cosmos 2588 is likely a NIVELIR military inspection satellite, potentially equipped with a kinetic weapon. The Russian satellite stalker was orbiting slightly higher than USA 338 and performed close fly-bys approximately every four days at distances as close as 100 kilometers (621 miles).
“This is the fourth time in five years that they launch a satellite into a coplanar orbit with a US optical reconnaissance satellite,” astronomer and expert on space situational awareness at the Delft University Marco Langbroek wrote on X regarding the Russian satellite launch.
https://x.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1926015790253228243?utm
Pattern of Space Shadowing
This isn’t Russia’s first suspected shadow operation in orbit, according to countries with military satellites, as similar cases include Kosmos 2558 in 2022, and Kosmos 2542 in 2020, where both also trailed US satellites in low Earth orbit.
The US has also conducted stealth maneuvers in space. In 2017, USA 276 quietly approached the International Space Station, and in 1998, observers identified a US satellite space surveillance believed to have a covert surveillance function.
Still, US officials are increasingly concerned about Russia launches satellite motives. In 2021, Moscow destroyed a defunct Soviet satellite using a missile in a test widely condemned by the international community for generating thousands of dangerous debris fragments.
That event prompted the United Nations to draft a resolution banning such anti-satellite (ASAT) tests, led by the Biden administration. While 155 countries supported it, nine including Russia launches satellite, China, and Iran opposed the measure.
Experts warn that these close encounters are part of a growing trend toward weaponization of space. Langbroek noted that Cosmos 2588’s movements are “not mere coincidence,” but are coordinated to shadow US assets heightening fears of a space arms race that extends far beyond surveillance.
Inside Telecom provides you with an extensive list of content covering all aspects of the tech industry. Keep an eye on our Tech sections to stay informed and up-to-date with our daily articles.