BIG: A Russian military satellite, Kosmos 2612, has been maneuvering to within 136 meters of the U.S.-registered ICEYE-X36 radar imaging satellite, according to satellite trackers, with a closer pass of about 48 meters predicted for Monday. Dutch satellite tracker Marco Langbroek said a series of maneuvers since September 30 were designed to match the satellite’s orbit with ICEYE-X36’s. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell called it the first known case of an active satellite making an uninvited close approach to another active satellite in low Earth orbit. ICEYE, a Finnish company, has supplied radar imagery to Ukraine since 2022, though it is unclear whether this satellite serves Ukraine. There are no signs of damage so far, and Russia’s intentions remain unclear.

New satellite imagery shows China built mock targets of US F-35s, F-16s, Patriot air defenses, and Japan's E-767 AWACS aircraft at a freshly paved desert range near Lop Nur. The E-767 is notable. Only Japan operates it (four planes total), making this an explicit Taiwan/Japan-scenario rehearsal target. China has been building increasingly sophisticated US/Japanese military mockups in Xinjiang deserts since 2021 for live-fire practice and missile calibration. But the addition of Patriot battery mockups and Japanese-specific assets shows expanding target sets. Source: Brady Africk