<p>Russia may have launched a "spy satellite" to stalk an American spy satellite. A few months back, in February, the United States launched USA 326, a spy satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Now, on Monday (August 2), a Russian satellite called Kosmos 2558, which is rumoured to be an "inspector aircraft".&nbsp;As per a report by Space.com even before the Russian satellite's launch rumours of it being a spy satellite to keep an eye on its US counterpart have been floating.&nbsp;Netherlands-based satellite tracker Marco Langbroek in a blogpost comments "Before the launch, there was a rumour that this was another 'inspector' satellite - a snooping satellite meant to covertly inspect another satellite."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;WION Fineprint: Why is space junk a problem?</strong></p>

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<p>He goes on to point out that the longitude or the right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) "of the newly launched Kosmos 2558 matches the RAAN of USA 326 closely, with a difference of only 0.04 degree (changing by about 0.01 degree/day)."</p>

<p>The two spacecraft are close to one another in altitude and are anticipated to have a close encounter, assuming neither makes any major manoeuvres during the following few days.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/indias-astrosat-telescope-helps-observe-formation-of-dwarf-galaxy-503002" hreflang="en">India’s AstroSat telescope helps observe formation of dwarf galaxy</a></strong></p>

<p>"With the current orbit, Kosmos 2558 will make a relatively close approach to USA 236 at August 4 near 14:47 UTC. The approach distance is ~75 km, almost all of that (73 km) is in altitude," writes Langbroek.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Based on the initial TLEs, in its current orbit Kosmos-2558 wil pass within 80 km of NRO's USA 326 satellite at about 1450 UTC Aug 4 (Thursday). Of course, the satellite may manuever before then. <a href="https://t.co/0l1dhY8cV8">pic.twitter.com/0l1dhY8cV8</a></p>
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) <a href="https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/1554316928927375360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It appears that the object has been catalogued under number 53324 in a 97.25 degree inclined 284 x 425 km orbit, in the same orbital plane as USA 326 but a somewhat lower initial orbital altitude.<br />
Will be interesting to see what it will do the coming weeks &amp; what USA 326 will do <a href="https://t.co/nPqZ1Tow5W">pic.twitter.com/nPqZ1Tow5W</a></p>
— Dr Marco Langbroek (@Marco_Langbroek) <a href="https://twitter.com/Marco_Langbroek/status/1554247462944129030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Apparently, Russia has done a similar "stalking" a few years back. As Langbroek notes "In early 2020, Russia did something similar with Kosmos 2542/2543, directing it towards the KH-11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellite USA 245."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-posts-beautiful-martian-image-showing-blue-region-of-the-red-planet-502679" hreflang="en">NASA posts beautiful martian image showing 'blue' region of the red planet&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>The reason why this actually might be a spying mission pertains to the USA Satellite's mission. NASA's archive for space science mission data: the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive, describes USA 326 as a "classified payload". It is widely believed to be a new generation electro-optical IMINT satellite.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the Drive, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and SpaceX are working together on NROL-87, a secret national security programme, for this mission. According to a press release issued by the NRO after the initial launch, NROL-87 was created, constructed, and is currently being operated by the NRO to support its "overhead reconnaissance mission," which is primarily focused on ensuring national security by utilising space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Russia may have launched a "spy satellite" to stalk an American spy satellite. A few months back, in February, the United States launched USA 326, a spy satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Russia may have launched a "spy satellite" to stalk an American spy satellite. A few months back, in February, the United States launched USA 326, a spy satellite aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Now, on Monday (August 2), a Russian satellite called Kosmos 2558, which is rumoured to be an "inspector aircraft". As per a report by Space.com even before the Russian satellite's launch rumours of it being a spy satellite to keep an eye on its US counterpart have been floating. Netherlands-based satellite tracker Marco Langbroek in a blogpost comments "Before the launch, there was a rumour that this was another 'inspector' satellite - a snooping satellite meant to covertly inspect another satellite." Watch | WION Fineprint: Why is space junk a problem? He goes on to point out that the longitude or the right ascension of the ascending node (RAAN) "of the newly launched Kosmos 2558 matches the RAAN of USA 326 closely, with a difference of only 0.04 degree (changing by about 0.01 degree/day)." The two spacecraft are close to one another in altitude and are anticipated to have a close encounter, assuming neither makes any major manoeuvres during the following few days. Also read | India’s AstroSat telescope helps observe formation of dwarf galaxy "With the current orbit, Kosmos 2558 will make a relatively close approach to USA 236 at August 4 near 14:47 UTC. The approach distance is ~75 km, almost all of that (73 km) is in altitude," writes Langbroek. Based on the initial TLEs, in its current orbit Kosmos-2558 wil pass within 80 km of NRO's USA 326 satellite at about 1450 UTC Aug 4 (Thursday). Of course, the satellite may manuever before then. pic.twitter.com/0l1dhY8cV8 — Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) August 2, 2022 × It appears that the object has been catalogued under number 53324 in a 97.25 degree inclined 284 x 425 km orbit, in the same orbital plane as USA 326 but a somewhat lower initial orbital altitude. Will be interesting to see what it will do the coming weeks & what USA 326 will do pic.twitter.com/nPqZ1Tow5W — Dr Marco Langbroek (@Marco_Langbroek) August 1, 2022 × Apparently, Russia has done a similar "stalking" a few years back. As Langbroek notes "In early 2020, Russia did something similar with Kosmos 2542/2543, directing it towards the KH-11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellite USA 245." Also read | NASA posts beautiful martian image showing 'blue' region of the red planet The reason why this actually might be a spying mission pertains to the USA Satellite's mission. NASA's archive for space science mission data: the NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive, describes USA 326 as a "classified payload". It is widely believed to be a new generation electro-optical IMINT satellite. As per the Drive, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and SpaceX are working together on NROL-87, a secret national security programme, for this mission. According to a press release issued by the NRO after the initial launch, NROL-87 was created, constructed, and is currently being operated by the NRO to support its "overhead reconnaissance mission," which is primarily focused on ensuring national security by utilising space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'An eye in space': Russia launches satellite to snoop on US national security mission. Here's what's happening

<p>After reports of a ballistic missile's launch, North Korea has said that it conducted "another important" test for reconnaissance satellite systems, state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The launch was conducted by North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science "under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite," KCNA reported. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/useless-cold-war-relics-hundreds-of-german-anti-aircraft-missiles-pledged-to-ukraine-unsafe-says-report-459246" hreflang="en">Useless Cold War relics? Hundreds of German anti-aircraft missiles pledged to Ukraine unsafe, says report</a></strong></p>

<p>This was the second such launch in a week to test satellite equipment. It was also the ninth missile launch this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest test comes just days ahead of a presidential election in South Korea on Wednesday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Through the test, the NADA confirmed the reliability of data transmission and reception system of the satellite, its control command system and various ground-based control systems," KCNA said. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reiterates-reunification-with-taiwan-firmly-opposes-foreign-interference-459268" hreflang="en">China reiterates 'reunification' with Taiwan, firmly opposes foreign interference</a></strong></p>

<p>Like the last test, the KCNA has not elaborated again on the type of rocket used in the launch. But the authorities in South Korea said that it appeared to be a ballistic missile fired from an area near Pyongyang where its international airport is located. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The North Korean missile reached a height of about 560 km (350 miles) and flew 270 km (170 miles), South Korea's military said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


After reports of a ballistic missile's launch, North Korea has said that it conducted "another important" test for reconnaissance satellite systems, state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday.

After reports of a ballistic missile's launch, North Korea has said that it conducted "another important" test for reconnaissance satellite systems, state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday. The launch was conducted by North Korea's National Aerospace Development Administration (NADA) and the Academy of Defence Science "under the plan of developing a reconnaissance satellite," KCNA reported. Also Read: Useless Cold War relics? Hundreds of German anti-aircraft missiles pledged to Ukraine unsafe, says report This was the second such launch in a week to test satellite equipment. It was also the ninth missile launch this year. The latest test comes just days ahead of a presidential election in South Korea on Wednesday. "Through the test, the NADA confirmed the reliability of data transmission and reception system of the satellite, its control command system and various ground-based control systems," KCNA said. Also Read: China reiterates 'reunification' with Taiwan, firmly opposes foreign interference Like the last test, the KCNA has not elaborated again on the type of rocket used in the launch. But the authorities in South Korea said that it appeared to be a ballistic missile fired from an area near Pyongyang where its international airport is located. The North Korean missile reached a height of about 560 km (350 miles) and flew 270 km (170 miles), South Korea's military said. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea confirms missile launch, says conducted another spy satellite test

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) would launch India's latest spy satellite RISAT-2BR1 and nine foreign satellites on December 11. The radar imaging earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 would be launched through Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Today's launch will mark a significant milestone for the space agency as it would be the 50th flight of the PSLV.

ISRO to launch PSLV-C48 from Sriharikota today

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the 48th mission of the PSLV series — PSLV-C46 on 22 May 2019. The space rocket is carrying an earth observation satellite RISAT-2B in the PSLV-Core Alone rocket's fourth stage. Watch this video to know more.

ISRO's 48th satellite launch using PSLV

Indian Space Research Organisation launches a cloud proof satellite to enhance surveillance capabilities. Historic milestone for ISRO. India's premier space research organisation launches Risat-2B to enhance surveillance capabilities. Here's a report.

Gravitas: ISRO launches new spy satellite

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