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Update on Luch Olymp 2 (NORAD ID: 55841)

As previously reported by Kratos, Luch Olymp 2 is a Russian satellite that repositions its orbital longitude to create close approaches to other government and commercial satellites. From June 2024 – February 2025, Luch Olymp 2 occupied the 1°W orbit slot, co-located with Intelsat 10-02. Intelsat 10-02 is known to carry commercial SATCOM leases in support of the Ukraine warfighting effort.

On February 6, 2025, Luch Olymp 2 initiated an eastward maneuver away from Intelsat 10-02. The figure below illustrates the measured distance between these two satellites, showing a stable average separation distance of 20 km increase rapidly, beginning around 19:00 UTC on February 6.

A graph showing the separation distance between the Russian Luch (Olymp) 2 satellite and the Intelsat 1002 satellite from February 5 to February 8, 2025, with an initial close distance followed by a steady increase.

As of February 14, 2025, Luch Olymp 2 is traveling eastward around 3.1°/day, currently passing through 16.2°E. The graph below illustrates 24hrs of satellite motion around 16°E, showing the yellow streak of Luch Olymp 2 transiting across the orbital slots of several other satellites.

A graph showing the movement of active GEO satellites between 13 degrees East and 19 degrees East from February 13 to 14, 2025, with Luch (Olymp) 2 exhibiting a distinct diagonal trajectory among other stationary satellites.

Luch Olymp 2 has shown no indications of braking maneuvers, so its final orbital location remains unknown. This is an emerging story, and Kratos will update as details become available.

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