Three's a party: US, China, and now Russia are on the prowl in GEO
The competition in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) is intensifying as the US, China, and Russia engage in satellite reconnaissance activities. The US Space Force has been operating inspector satellites for over a decade, while China has joined the effort since 2018. Recently, Russia launched its own suspected inspector satellite, Kosmos 2589, adding to the growing presence of military satellites in GEO.
- ▪The US military has been using inspector satellites in GEO for over a decade.
- ▪China began launching similar satellites in 2018 to monitor other spacecraft.
- ▪Russia recently introduced its own suspected inspector satellite, Kosmos 2589, into geosynchronous orbit.
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| Original publisher | Ars Technica |
| Canonical URL | https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/05/threes-a-party-us-china-and-now-russia-are-on-the-prowl-in-geo/ |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 14:39:49 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T14:52:13.162Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-17T14:52:13.162Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Let’s take a look Three’s a party: US, China, and now Russia are on the prowl in GEO Instead of running silent and deep, most satellites easily stand out against the blackness of space. Stephen Clark – May 15, 2026 3:11 pm | 26 This visualization from COMSPOC shows the US Space Force's USA-325 satellite flying near Russia's Kosmos 2589 satellite in geosynchronous orbit May 1. Credit: COMSPOC This visualization from COMSPOC shows the US Space Force's USA-325 satellite flying near Russia's Kosmos 2589 satellite in geosynchronous orbit May 1.
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