DutchSpace retweeted
A rare view of concerning activity in orbit.
From Oct. 16–18, a Russian satellite made several close approaches to a U.S. commercial satellite. This image, collected by Vantor’s WorldView Space capability on Oct. 17, shows Russian Cosmos 2612 at an estimated distance of about 1 km from ICEYE-X36.
“This image captures a reality long recognized by our national security leaders—space is becoming increasingly contested. Seeing one spacecraft repeatedly maneuver close to another raises serious concerns about capability and intent.”—Dan Smoot, Vantor CEO.
With WorldView Space, Vantor’s non-Earth imaging capability lets us collect images of other spacecraft in orbit, helping us better understand how they’re operating and spot activity that warrants a closer look.
Read @axios's exclusive coverage: axios.com/2026/10/22/space-w…
Explore WorldView Space: vantor.com/product/worldview…
DutchSpace retweeted
COSMOS 2612 (SSC.68762) walks up to ICEYE-X36 (SSC.59103)
In July we posted on the Cosmos 2609–2614 group. Back then we flagged COSMOS 2612 as the satellite best placed to reach ICEYE-X36. Three months later, it did.
Analysis via COMSPOC SSA.
On 1 October COSMOS 2612 raised its orbit ~47 km. The higher orbit gave it a fast catch-up drift, and it passed ICEYE-X36 at ~55 km on 5 October and again on 12 October. Within about two hours of the second pass it made two retrograde burns (~27 m/s total) and dropped back to ICEYE-X36’s altitude, ~515 km behind it. Between 13 and 16 October seven small burns (~5 m/s total) closed that gap.
By 16 October COSMOS 2612 was in ICEYE-X36’s plane (within 0.003°) and at its altitude. Since the two share a plane, there are no plane crossings to wait for. From 16–18 October they spent ~24 hours within 2 km of each other and ~12 hours within 1 km. First pass was ~220 m (max uncertainty ~490 m) near 14:03 UTC on 16 October. It then held 2–4 km behind before drawing level on 17 October and settling into a centred safety ellipse around ICEYE-X36, which it held for the rest of the day. Closest pass in our solution was ~60 m (max uncertainty ~950 m) near 14:18 UTC. By late on 17 October it had drifted ~2 km ahead, then trimmed back for a third pass at ~260 m (max uncertainty ~160 m) near 01:58 UTC on 18 October. Relative speed at the closest points was 0.15–0.9 m/s, walking pace or slower. Slow walk-past, not a fly-by . ICEYE-X36 did not maneuver.
COSMOS 2612 burned away at 12:30 UTC on 18 October, braked on 19 October, and is now holding ~480 km from ICEYE-X36 in the same orbit.
We’ve seen this sequence before. COSMOS 2581, 2582 and 2583 (SSC.62902/62903/62904) have been running it against each other since February 2025: raise, phase, drop to co-altitude, close at under half a meter per second, hold, depart, loiter. Since August 2025 we’ve logged more than 170 sub-km conjunction events within that trio, several down to single-digit meters. Until now, every target had been one of their own. This is the first non-cooperative one.
@planet4589
@shell_jim
@IntegrityISR
@ObservableSpace
DutchSpace retweeted
Short time-lapse of part of this morning’s first pass of ICEYE-X36 (59103) and COSMOS 2612 (68762) over South America under partly cloudy skies.
DutchSpace retweeted
Circularization burn complete, payload separation confirmed, standing by for more information.
DutchSpace retweeted
We’re in orbit! And just made European history: This is the first time a privately developed rocket reached orbit from continental Europe; and a testament to the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of everyone involved.
DutchSpace retweeted
With the re-entry of CLUSTER II-FM8 (Tango) on 1 September, our daily tracking campaign for the final two CLUSTER satellites has come to an end.
Over 35 nights, we conducted more than 200 observation series from three stations and recorded over 35,000 astrometric positions, contributing to ESA’s orbit determination efforts for the targeted re-entries.
We are pleased that our work could contribute to the successful completion of this extraordinary mission.
We would also like to express our sincere thanks to Tim Flohrer, Oleksandr Kozhukhov, and the entire Cluster re-entry team at ESA for giving us the opportunity to apply our optical SSA network to the Cluster re-entry campaign and gain valuable experience in this specific operational context.
DutchSpace retweeted
A dream 10 years in the making is now real.
ESA is opening Hera to the global software community.
#AI, #robotics, #autonomy, image processing, #gaming— your code could run in deep space, 150 million km from Earth.
Your code. Our spacecraft. Deep space🚀
#OpenSource #SpaceTech
🚨 OPEN CALL: Run your code in deep space!
For the first time, we are opening access to a living mission. We’ll be turning our Hera asteroid mission into a flying software lab 150M km from Earth. Open to AI, robotics, gaming, etc!
💻 Submit your idea esa.int/Enabling_Support/Spa…
ALT Hera spacecraft beside impact crater on asteroid
DutchSpace retweeted
🛰️Russian satellites multi-object proximity event in LEO
Radar tracking data via @LeoLabs_Space, processed through COMSPOC SSA Suite.
This week we observed a complex proximity event involving Russian satellites: COSMOS 2581, 2582, 2583, and Object F (a subsatellite released by 2583).
The highlight: COSMOS 2581 and 2583 achieved a closest approach of ~3 meters on 28 April at UTC, with near-zero relative velocity. This wasn't a coincidental pass — COSMOS 2583 performed several fine maneuvers to maintain this tight configuration.
Meanwhile, COSMOS 2582 trailed the formation at sub-100 km range, while Object F passed within 15 km of 2582 and within 10 km of 2581 — neither maneuvered.
For context: in late 2025 to now, we tracked these same COSMOS satellites performing 3-object RPO. These satellites launched 5 February 2025. Whatever Russia is testing, it's sophisticated.
@SpaceNews_Inc @SpaceflightNow @BreakingDefense @joroulette @shell_jim @planet4589
#RPO #SSA #Russia #Space
DutchSpace retweeted
Dream Chaser has successfully completed acoustic testing at @NASA's Kennedy Space Center's Space Systems Processing Facility.
The spacecraft successfully withstood the intense vibrations produced from sound waves during a rocket launch as it prepares for its first flight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Acoustic testing at NASA’s SSPF utilized an array of 90 stacked speakers to simulate sound and airborne vibrations experienced during a rocket launch.
The successful test validated the durability of Dream Chaser’s critical electronic systems and confirmed the structural integrity of the spacecraft.
Press Release: sierraspace.com/press-releas…
DutchSpace retweeted
"Welcome to my old neighborhood." Our @NASAArtemis II astronauts woke up on the sixth day of their mission to a special message recorded in 2025 by astronaut Jim Lovell, the pilot of Apollo 8.
DutchSpace retweeted
Good morning, world! 🌎
We have spectacular new high-resolution images of our home planet, all of us looking back through the Orion capsule window at our Artemis II astronauts as they continue their journey to the Moon.
ALT One-third of Earth peeking through the window of the Orion capsule. The planet is a dreamy pale blue, swirling with white clouds and reflected sunlight. Although Earth only fills a fraction of the image it is the brightest object in the image by far. The capsule window is surrounded by a thick frame held in place with bolts, reminiscent of a heavy duty airplane window. It is dark in the capsule, but the outlines of straps and various components of the capsule are visible. Brighter white components are visible in the upper right corner. Credit: NASA/Reid Weisman
DutchSpace retweeted
Europe keeps a close eye on the #countdown to the #Artemis II launch too.
At @esa's facilities in the Netherlands, teams from the European Service Module are already on console for the 10-day mission.
All systems are GO from the Eagle room, Europe’s mission evaluation hub.
DutchSpace retweeted
🚀 Artemis II is positioned for lift off at Launch Complex 39B at @NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
🛰️ This polarimetric radar image was acquired by one of the Second-Generation COSMO-SkyMed satellites of @ASI_spazio and @MinisteroDifesa, and processed by e-GEOS, part of @LDO_Space.
🌙 Artemis II will mark humanity’s return beyond low Earth orbit, carrying astronauts around the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The mission is designed to test cislunar navigation, the ability to maintain stable long-distance communications, crew operations under prolonged isolation and high-speed re-entry to Earth.
📸 LC-39B, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Image © Italian Space Agency. Processed and distributed by e-GEOS
#WeUnlockEarth #Artemis @NASAArtemis
@telespazio | @ASI_spazio | @LDO_Space | @GAF_Munich | @LDO_Fondazione
ALT LC-39B, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation Image © Italian Space Agency. Processed and distributed by e-GEOS
DutchSpace retweeted
MISSION SUCCESS 🚀
Payload deployment confirmed for our 85th Electron launch. Welcome to orbit, @esa. 'The Daughter Of The Stars' is home.
DutchSpace retweeted
T-6 days to launch for "Daughter Of The Stars" - Electron's 85th launch and first time flying a dedicated mission for the European Space Agency @esa 🛰️🛰️.
Integration and encapsulation is now complete, with ESA's 2x satellites secured to Electron inside its nose cone and ready for launch.
DutchSpace retweeted
We’re targeting around 9am EST (1400 UTC), Wednesday, Feb. 25, to begin rolling the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft off the launch pad and back to the Vehicle Assembly Building @NASAKennedy. Read the latest @NASAArtemis updates: nasa.gov/blogs/artemis/
DutchSpace retweeted
As soon as Tuesday, Feb. 24, we will roll our Moon rocket for our Artemis II mission off the launch pad, weather pending. Engineers are continuing to prepare for the move after encountering an issue with the flow of helium to the rocket’s upper stage. Details: go.nasa.gov/4tFWCMK
ALT A side view shows the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher, at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28, 2026. The orange core stage of the Artemis II rocket has support structures surrounding it. In the background, the sky is blue, and Moon is seen shining. Credit: NASA/Sam Lott
DutchSpace retweeted
I will just say we are leaning forward with transparency, sharing the blemishes and the successes, because for a program as costly and important to national security as Artemis, the public is entitled to the facts.
- The confidence test related to the seals we repaired and replaced after WDR-1 provided a great deal of data, and we observed materially lower leak rates compared to prior observations during WDR-1. I would not say something broke that caused the premature end to the test, as much as we observed enough and reached a point where waiting out additional troubleshooting was unnecessary.
- The test was performed Thursday afternoon the 12th. Crew-12 launched early the morning of the 13th. The Artemis II test data review took place the afternoon of the 13th, and we released the blog update that evening. I believe we acted in a timely manner, considering we did not want to create needless confusion alongside a crewed launch to the space station.
- Considering the issues observed during the lead-up to Artemis I, and the long duration between missions, we should not be surprised there are challenges entering the Artemis II campaign. That does not excuse the situation, but we understand it. I am impressed with the NASA team and our contractors working diligently through the campaign. They are professionals, and they know the dream they are trying to enable. I will say near-conclusively for Artemis III, we will cryoproof the vehicle before it gets to the pad, and the propellant loading interfaces we are troubleshooting will be redesigned.
- As I have stated many times, the President ensured Artemis would endure through dozens of missions, enabling repeatable and affordable operations in the lunar environment as we construct and operate a Moon base. The architecture will continue to evolve as we learn and as industry capabilities mature. Simply said, where we begin is not where we will end.
There is still a great deal of work ahead to prepare for this historic mission. We will not launch unless we are ready and the safety of our astronauts will remain the highest priority. We will keep everyone informed as NASA prepares to return to the Moon.
