The American company LeoLabs reported on recent activity involving Russian satellites Kosmos-2562 and Resurs-P No. 3, noting a potentially dangerous maneuver in 2022. The publication covering Space News provided details on these events.
The material highlights that the movement of Russian spacecraft can help experts assess risks to United States satellites in space. Specifically, in November of the prior year, Resurs-P No. 3 performed a maneuver that drew attention from analysts (Space News).
According to the same publication, the satellite had remained dormant for several years. Yet during the cited period, it approached another Russian object, Kosmos-2562, prompting speculation about the intent and potential consequences of such proximity.
American observers pointed out that the data from LeoLabs challenges the assumption that inactive satellites are completely inoperable. The firm stressed that Resurs-P No. 3 conducted another maneuver and subsequently left its previous orbit. Experts describe this movement as indicating the satellite may no longer exist in a conventional, controllable form (Space News).
The authors of the report did not rule out the possibility that Kosmos-2562 could depart its orbit in the near future, but such an event had not occurred at the time of publication (Space News).
Resurs-P No. 3, a Russian remote sensing satellite, was launched on March 3, 2016. The article notes that one solar panel in the orbital plane jammed, preventing a full return to operation and contributing to questions about the satellite’s remaining functionality (Space News).
In related space developments, Elon Musk had previously commented on the profitability challenges facing Starlink, the satellite network widely discussed in aerospace circles and media debates (Space News).