According to Russian Space Agency Roscosmos, India’s CARTOSAT 2F, weighing
over 700 kg, dangerously approached Russian spacecraft Kanopus-V on Friday at 1:49
UTC.

Roscosmos said in a tweet that the minimum distance between the Russian
and the foreign satellite was 224 metres. Both satellites are used for remote
sensing.

“The minimum distance
between the Russian and foreign satellites was 224 meters. Both spacecraft are
designed for Earth’s remote sensing,” the Russian space agency stated.

A distance of 224 meters might be considered a near miss, according to
Roscosmos.

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The Russian Space Agency further stated that both satellites are used
for remote sensing, indicating that both are used for strategic purposes.

One kilometre is generally considered to be the ideal distance between
two satellites in space.

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“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 chief K Sivan was quoted as saying in a Times of India
report.

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