Crew-12 Prepares for Return Amid Satellite Close Calls
Crew-12 prepares to depart the ISS after eight months, amid increased satellite close approaches. Arctic sea ice reaches its 2026 minimum.
| Active satellites | 15,779 |
| Starlink active | 10,063 |
| Catalogued objects | 31,486 |
| Predicted re-entries | 34 |
| Active close approaches | 22 |
| People in space | 14 |
Crew-12 is set to depart the International Space Station (ISS) after an eight-month mission. The crew's return comes as satellite close approaches are being closely monitored, with several notable near-misses recorded recently. Notably, the Tianhui 5A and Tianhui 5B satellites came within approximately 1.11 km of each other, highlighting the increasing congestion in low Earth orbit.
Satellite Close Approaches
The past few days have seen a rise in close approaches between satellites, with Orbital Radar tracking 22 active close approaches. The closest recorded was between the Tianhui 5A and Tianhui 5B satellites, with a minimum distance of 1.11 km. Such events underscore the critical need for improved space situational awareness, as the number of active satellites in orbit has reached 15,779, according to Orbital Radar's live catalogue.
Arctic Sea Ice Minimum
NASA has reported that Arctic sea ice has shrunk to its 2026 minimum. This annual minimum is a crucial indicator of climate change, as the extent of sea ice affects global weather patterns and sea levels. Observations from space continue to provide valuable data for understanding these environmental changes.
What to Watch
While no launches are scheduled for the immediate future, space enthusiasts can anticipate the return of Crew-12 from the ISS. Additionally, those interested in satellite tracking can use the Orbital Radar pass predictor to observe visible passes of the ISS and other satellites.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Crew-12 returning from the ISS?
How many satellites are currently in orbit?
📎 Cite this article · data available
Orbital Radar Newsroom. (2026). Crew-12 Prepares for Return Amid Satellite Close Calls. Orbital Radar. https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-07"Crew-12 Prepares for Return Amid Satellite Close Calls." Orbital Radar, 7 October 2026, https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-07.@misc{orbitalradar_orbital_briefing_2026_10_07,
title = {Crew-12 Prepares for Return Amid Satellite Close Calls},
author = {{Orbital Radar}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://orbitalradar.com/blog/orbital-briefing-2026-10-07}}
}
