2 Russian satellites are stalking a US spysat in orbit. The Space Force is watching. (Report)

A Russian Soyuz 2.1v rocket launches a classified military satellite into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russian on Nov. 25, 2019. The satellite can apparently track other satellites in orbit and is shadowing a U.S. spy satellite, officials say.
A Russian Soyuz 2.1v rocket launches a classified military satellite into orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russian on Nov. 25, 2019. The satellite can apparently track other satellites in orbit and is shadowing a U.S. spy satellite, officials say. (Image credit: Roscosmos)

A U.S. spy satellite is being trailed by two Russian satellites, according to the commander of the U.S. Space Force

Yesterday (Feb. 10), Gen. John "Jay" Raymond, the Space Force chief of space operations, revealed to Time magazine that a pair of Russian satellites have come extremely close, within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the U.S. spy satellite. 

"We view this behavior as unusual and disturbing," Raymond told Time magazine. "It has the potential to create a dangerous situation in space." 

Raymond said that the U.S. government has reached out to Moscow about the close range of the satellites, expressing concern "through diplomatic channels." 

Video: Watch Russia launch the two mysterious satellites
More: 
Declassified US Spy Satellite Photos & Designs

The Russian spacecraft launched in November as one satellite, which later released a second satellite from within it, almost "birthing" it, U.S. military analysts said. According to the Russian news agency TASS, this maneuver was meant to test the "technical condition of domestic satellites."

In an interview with Business Insider, Raymond said the two satellites have been behaving similarly to what are known as "inspector satellites" from Russia. "In any other domain," such a move "would be interpreted as potentially threatening behavior," he told Business Insider.

Related: The most dangerous space weapons concepts ever

The Russian satellites were first spotted by Michael Thompson, a satellite and spacecraft enthusiast who tweeted about the observations. 

"Something to potentially watch: Cosmos 2542, a Russian inspection satellite, has recently synchronized its orbit with USA 245, an NRO KH11," Thompson tweeted.

"This is all circumstantial evidence, but there are a hell of a lot of circumstances that make it look like a known Russian inspection satellite is currently inspecting a known U.S. spy satellite," Thompson tweeted on Jan. 30.

This is the first time that the U.S. military has publicly revealed a direct threat from another country to a U.S. satellite. Identifying and rectifying such concerns was a huge reason behind the Space Force. As more and more satellites are launched with increased capabilities to gather information from space, more opportunities are created for interference from these satellites. 

Space Force, the new U.S. military branch, which will receive $15.4 billion as part of the Trump administration's 2021 budget proposal, will be a "technology-focused service," according to Raymond, Space Force's first official leader. The branch aims to protect the interests of the U.S. in space, which will include mitigating aggressive acts and interference in American progress. 

Ongoing efforts by both Russia and China to advance their space programs has factored into the establishment of the Space Force. Now, while the Space Force continues to investigate the two Russian satellites, political tensions between the two nations remain high over accusations of Russian interference in the U.S. electoral system. 

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Chelsea Gohd
Senior Writer

Chelsea “Foxanne” Gohd joined Space.com in 2018 and is now a Senior Writer, writing about everything from climate change to planetary science and human spaceflight in both articles and on-camera in videos. With a degree in Public Health and biological sciences, Chelsea has written and worked for institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, Scientific American, Discover Magazine Blog, Astronomy Magazine and Live Science. When not writing, editing or filming something space-y, Chelsea "Foxanne" Gohd is writing music and performing as Foxanne, even launching a song to space in 2021 with Inspiration4. You can follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd and @foxannemusic.

  • Nehmo
    Admin said:
    2 Russian satellites are stalking a US spysat in orbit. The Space Force is watching (report) : Read more
    If the watching satellite is a hundred miles away, I don't see much to complain about.
    Reply
  • You'reWearingThat?!
    Considering the USA satellite is SPY satellite I would consider it fair play. Just don't go messing up bystanders 🧐
    Reply
  • Anonymous010
    Nehmo said:
    If the watching satellite is a hundred miles away, I don't see much to complain about.

    I could see it as a big deal if the Russian satellites carried satellite disabling or interference technology. One hundred miles away is not very far away in terms of an orbit - certainly not close enough to worry about a collision or an intercept, but easily close enough to interfere with or damage the spy satellite.

    As it stands, though, this is probably just Russia trying to troll the US again.
    Reply
  • Lovethrust
    Anonymous010 said:
    I could see it as a big deal if the Russian satellites carried satellite disabling or interference technology. One hundred miles away is not very far away in terms of an orbit - certainly not close enough to worry about a collision or an intercept, but easily close enough to interfere with or damage the spy satellite.

    As it stands, though, this is probably just Russia trying to troll the US again.
    This would be a mighty expensive “troll”. There is definitely a purpose to this, most likely practice...
    Reply
  • Geomartian
    Does the KH11 have local situational awareness?

    Does it have radar or telescopes?

    Can a parasitic antenna circuit cut out its communications? I.E. A loop of wire or conductive silly string.

    If a small mass attached itself to the KH11 with a resonate cable could the KH11 take usable pictures while it is vibrating?

    Can it defend itself from a miniature robotic swarm?

    Can it see the thermal signature of a cloaked Bird of Prey?

    What are its shield harmonics?

    The American Empire and its Death Stars are more fun than a barrel of monkeys.
    Reply