Background of the incident: The Space-2558 satellite was launched by Russia in 2020, and since then has been continuously following the US 326 spy satellite, which was launched in February 2022 by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg space base. The US 326 mission is top secret and is conducted by the National designation Office (NRO) in cooperation with SpaceX company Elona Muska.
Incident: On June 28, the Space-2558 satellite released an unidentified object that was designated as a subobject. The facility was released at a time erstwhile both satellites were close to each other, causing concern among military and experts. U.S. Space Force Command monitors the situation and tries to identify the nature and intent of the released facility.
Experts are concerned: Expert Marco Langbroek, a lecturer specialising in orbital observations at Delft University of Technology, believes that this incidental is already the 3rd case in the last 5 years erstwhile a Russian military satellite releases a subobject according to the matrix scheme. Langbroek warns that although the Russians formally classify these missions as "inspective", they may actually service to deploy alleged "sleepy" anti-satellite systems.
Figures: According to data collected by Langbroek, in the last 5 years Russia has launched at least 10 military satellites that have released subobjects. The expert believes that these missions may service to deploy anti-satellite systems that can be activated in the event of a conflict.
Implications for Security: This incidental caused concern among military and experts, due to possible military implications. Space-2558 is simply a military satellite that constantly follows 1 of America's most valuable spy satellites, USA 326. Expert Langbroek asks what can be checked over 3 years, and believes that this incidental may be an effort to deploy anti-satellite systems in space.
Pentagon response: U.S. Space Force Command monitors the situation and tries to identify the nature and intent of the released object. The Pentagon has unofficially confirmed that the incidental has been recorded and is being investigated.
Conclusions: The incidental in space caused concern among military and experts, due to possible military implications. Space-2558 and US 326 are military satellites that play a critical function in ensuring national security. This incidental may be an effort to deploy anti-satellite systems in space, which may have serious consequences for global security.
