Indian, Russian satellites just metres away in space; Roscosmos says 224m, Isro says 420m

BENGALURU: India's remote sensing satellite CARTOSAT-2F is "dangerously close" to a Russian earth observation satellite (Kanopus-V) in the near earth orbit, and space agencies of both countries are monitoring them closely.

Russian space agency Roscosmos, on Friday said that according to the TsNIIMash main information and analytical center of the Warning Automated System of Hazardous Situations in near-Earth Space (part of Roscosmos), CARTOSAT 2F satellite weighing over 700 kg dangerously approached the Russian Kanopus-V spacecraft on November 27, 2020 at 01:49 UTC.

"According to the TsNIIMash calculations, the minimum distance between the Russian and foreign satellites was 224 meters. Both spacecraft are designed for Earth’s remote sensing," Roscosmos said.


However, allaying fears, Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI: "We have been tracking the satellite for four days and it is about 420 metres from the Russian satellite. A manoeuvre will only be done when it comes around 150 metres," Isro chairman K Sivan told TOI.

Sivan added that these things are not uncommon when satellites are in similar low earth orbits. The general practice, he said, was that the two agencies discuss and decide to carry out a manoeuvre.

"...Recently, there was a situation with a satellite belonging to Spain and it was resolved. These things aren't made public generally," Sivan added.

The CARTOSAT-2F was launched from the first lanuch pad at Sriharikota on January 12, 2018 and is still operational.