Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian Luch-2 satellite approaches Norwegian communications satellite Thor 7.
On 1 July 2024, the Russian reconnaissance satellite Luch-2 completed a westward manoeuvre and established an orbital position near Thor 7, a Norwegian communications satellite operated by Space Norway. The spacecraft remained near 0.54°W until mid-September, conducting prolonged proximity operations around the Norwegian satellite. Commercial monitoring reported that the two spacecraft approached within approximately five kilometres of one another during July. The unusually close positioning raised concerns about potential surveillance of satellite communications and ground-control transmissions. Space-security analysts assessed Luch-2 as a suspected signals intelligence platform capable of monitoring foreign-operated satellites. However, the available observations did not establish actual interception, manipulation or disruption of Thor 7’s communications systems.
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On 1 July 2024, the Russian reconnaissance satellite Luch-2 completed a westward manoeuvre and established an orbital position near Thor 7, a Norwegian communications satellite operated by Space Norway. The spacecraft remained near 0.54°W until mid-September, conducting prolonged proximity operations around the Norwegian satellite. Commercial monitoring reported that the two spacecraft approached within approximately five kilometres of one another during July. The unusually close positioning raised concerns about potential surveillance of satellite communications and ground-control transmissions. Space-security analysts assessed Luch-2 as a suspected signals intelligence platform capable of monitoring foreign-operated satellites. However, the available observations did not establish actual interception, manipulation or disruption of Thor 7’s communications systems.