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The US intelligence community has issued a warning to 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 vulnerability of US space-related companies to cyberattacks, strategic investment, supply chain targeting, and other techniques used by foreign entities to gain access to the industry.

These foreign intelligence operations not only pose a risk to company secrets but also have the potential to disrupt and degrade US satellite communications, remote sensing, and imaging capabilities. Given the growing reliance on space for both economic and national security purposes, the warning urges companies to be vigilant and take necessary precautions.

The bulletin advises companies to log anomalies, establish insider-threat programs to identify potential moles, and be cautious of requests from foreign entities to visit or establish joint ventures. It also warns about unsolicited offers from companies tied to foreign governments or state-owned enterprises.

While China and Russia have historically denied allegations of hacking and other attempts to infiltrate or disrupt space systems, the US intelligence community remains concerned about the threats posed by these countries. The US government is particularly focused on supporting medium and small satellite companies that may not be aware of the scale and types of risks they face. Efforts are being made to help these companies enhance their mitigation measures and resilience against potential attacks.

Even large satellite companies with existing government links have fallen victim to cyberattacks. Viasat Inc., for example, experienced a cyberattack in 2022 and had to replace thousands of modems across Europe and beyond. SpaceX’s Starlink has also faced jamming attacks while providing service to Ukraine.

In response to these threats, the US Space Force recently unveiled a new targeting unit dedicated to countering adversaries in space and at ground stations, prioritizing the protection of US satellite systems.

(Source: Bloomberg)

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