In a recent interview with Reuters, Major General Michael Traut, head of the German Space Command, warned that Russian military satellites have demonstrated the ability to closely shadow commercial satellites, a practice that could jeopardize the performance and longevity of large commercial constellations such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Russian satellite activity
According to the U.S. Space Force, Russia maneuvered four military satellites—designated Cosmos 2610 through Cosmos 2613—into close proximity with a commercial radar‑imaging satellite in May. The Finnish company ICEYE, which supplies high‑resolution imagery to the United States and its allies, confirmed that one of its satellites was the target of the Russian maneuver.
General Traut described the Russian spacecraft as “chasing” the ICEYE satellite, noting that the activity illustrates a capability that could be employed against a mega‑constellation like Starlink. He emphasized that even without a direct attack, such close‑proximity operations could disrupt satellite functions, forcing operators to perform fuel‑intensive avoidance maneuvers that shorten satellite lifespans.
Potential impact on Starlink
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides broadband connectivity to millions of users worldwide, including many in Ukraine who rely on the service for communications during the ongoing conflict. General Traut warned that if Russian satellites were to drift into Starlink’s orbital paths and then break apart, the resulting debris could compel Starlink satellites to execute costly avoidance burns, reducing their operational life and degrading service quality for all users.
Two other unnamed Western officials echoed Traut’s concerns, stating that the Russian activity raises “significant worries” for the world’s largest satellite constellation.
Broader security implications
The episode underscores the growing reliance of Western militaries on commercial satellite networks for battlefield intelligence and communications. It also highlights the need for robust protective measures in orbit, a topic that German officials are addressing through a major spending plan that includes the development of inspector satellites and the exploration of orbital‑based defensive tools that can disrupt hostile activity without destroying the target.
Germany has already awarded contracts to ICEYE and a domestic aerospace firm to build dozens of satellites aimed at strengthening NATO’s eastern flank. These efforts reflect a broader European push to safeguard critical space assets against potential “grey‑zone” tactics—actions that fall short of open warfare but still pose a threat to vital infrastructure.
Russian response
The Russian defence ministry declined to comment on the specific satellite maneuvers. Moscow has repeatedly warned that commercial Western satellites supporting Ukraine could become legitimate targets for retaliation, though it denies conducting sabotage operations in NATO countries.
SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.
What this means for the future
As the United States, Europe, and allied nations continue to depend on commercial constellations for both civilian and military purposes, the incident serves as a reminder of the evolving challenges in space security. Monitoring and protecting satellite assets will likely become an increasingly important component of national defence strategies, especially as adversaries develop more sophisticated on‑orbit capabilities.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
