Researcher alleges SpaceX enabled Russia's approach to ICEYE-X36 satellite
LeoLabs tracked COSMOS 2612's close approach to ICEYE-X36; Lynx alleges SpaceX used a collision alert to keep the satellite from maneuvering.
By Ryan Merket · Published
Primary source: x.com
Why it matters
Military operations rely on privately operated satellite networks and imagery providers, whose spacecraft remain exposed to close approaches and interference in orbit.
A Russian satellite's close approach to ICEYE-X36 is documented. In a thread posted October 25th, Lynx (@LibertyLynx) argued that SpaceX used a collision alert to prevent the commercial satellite from maneuvering as Russia's COSMOS 2612 closed in. Independent tracking documents the Russian maneuvers, but does not establish that SpaceX coordinated with Russia or helped cause them.
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