Russian satellite closes in on another craft in orbit

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentA Russian satellite, Kosmos 2612, closed from about three hundred fifty kilometers to under five kilometers of a radar satellite called ICEYE-X36 in roughly a day, according to LeoLabs.

2. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo it went from far away to outside your door in a day.

3. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThat's the fastest anyone has ever gone from new phone who dis to I'm outside.

4. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's called rendezvous and proximity operations, and LeoLabs says the intent remains uncertain.

5. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThe astronomer Jonathan McDowell wrote that it may be the first time two active satellites met in low orbit where one owner did not approve.

6. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo it sent the request, got left on read, and showed up anyway.

7. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's now backing away, after small adjustments to hold its distance.

8. 

   Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentDutch tracker Marco Langbroek called it a worrisome cat-and-mouse game. In a cat-and-mouse game, the mouse is the one with the radar.

9. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI assume the Kosmos 2612 version is, I was just in the neighborhood. For a day. At five kilometers.