Lyce · Hybrid Watch
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Russian Luch-2 satellite repositions near Intelsat 10-02 and Thor 6.
On 18 September 2024, Russia’s Luch-2 reconnaissance satellite completed an orbital manoeuvre that positioned it between the Thor 6 and Intelsat 10-02 communications satellites near 0.92°W longitude. The relocation began on 16 September and followed approximately two and a half months of activity near Thor 7. Commercial tracking observations confirmed that Luch-2 subsequently maintained proximity to Intelsat 10-02, which provides commercial satellite communications services, including capacity associated with support for Ukraine. During January 2025, orbital tracking assessments indicated that the separation between Luch-2 and Intelsat 10-02 had narrowed considerably, with some estimates placing the spacecraft less than one kilometre apart. The prolonged proximity was consistent with suspected Russian electronic reconnaissance, but actual communications interception or interference was not confirmed.
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On 18 September 2024, Russia’s Luch-2 reconnaissance satellite completed an orbital manoeuvre that positioned it between the Thor 6 and Intelsat 10-02 communications satellites near 0.92°W longitude. The relocation began on 16 September and followed approximately two and a half months of activity near Thor 7. Commercial tracking observations confirmed that Luch-2 subsequently maintained proximity to Intelsat 10-02, which provides commercial satellite communications services, including capacity associated with support for Ukraine. During January 2025, orbital tracking assessments indicated that the separation between Luch-2 and Intelsat 10-02 had narrowed considerably, with some estimates placing the spacecraft less than one kilometre apart. The prolonged proximity was consistent with suspected Russian electronic reconnaissance, but actual communications interception or interference was not confirmed.