New Russian Satellite Appears to Be Stalking U.S. Satellite in Orbit

A recently launched Russian satellite is getting uncomfortably cozy with a U.S. reconnaissance satellite, leading Space Command to worry that it’s part of an anti-satellite weapon being deployed to orbit. Cosmos 2588 launched on May 23 to a near-circular orbit, placing it eerily close to a U.S. reconnaissance satellite, USA 338. The move prompted suspicion that it’s an attempt by Russia to deliberately stalk the U.S. government satellite. This isn’t the first time Russia has deployed a sneaky satellite to trail behind and allegedly observe another satellite in orbit, but this time it may be connected to Russia’s controversial anti-satellite program. “U.S. Space Command can confirm Russia’s recent launch put a Russian satellite into an orbit near a U.S. government satellite,” a Space Command spokesperson is quoted as saying to 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 do ... Read full article.