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The US intelligence community has issued a bulletin warning the domestic space industry about the increasing threat of espionage and satellite attacks from countries like China, Russia, and other adversaries. The bulletin, jointly issued by the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US Air Force, highlights the potential risks faced by US space-related companies.

According to the warning, these risks include cyberattacks, strategic investment (such as joint ventures and acquisitions), targeting of key supply chain nodes, and other techniques employed by foreign entities to gain access to the space industry. These operations not only pose a risk to company secrets but also have the potential to disrupt and degrade US satellite communications and remote sensing capabilities.

To mitigate these risks, the bulletin advises companies to log anomalies, establish insider-threat programs to identify potential moles, and exercise caution regarding visits from foreign entities or unsolicited offers to establish joint ventures with companies connected to foreign governments or state-owned enterprises. It also warns about the need to be vigilant at conferences and online platforms.

While China and Russia have historically dismissed allegations of hacking and other attempts to infiltrate space systems, the US intelligence community continues to raise concerns. The US government is particularly focused on supporting small and midsize satellite companies, which may be less aware of the risks involved, by helping them enhance their own mitigation efforts and resilience.

Even large satellite companies with existing government links have faced attacks. Viasat Inc. experienced a cyberattack in 2022, leading to the replacement of over 45,000 modems across Europe and beyond. SpaceX’s Starlink has also reported jamming attacks while providing service to Ukraine.

In response to these threats, the US Space Force recently unveiled a new targeting unit that focuses on adversaries in space and at ground stations. The unit aims to address the threats posed to US satellite systems in space and enhance the security and resilience of the US space industry.

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