Washington, Aug 18 (AP): This year, as Russia conducted its Victory Day parade, hackers supportive of the Kremlin commandeered a satellite orbiting Earth that supplies television services to Ukraine. Instead of regular programming, Ukrainian audiences were met with broadcasts from Moscow showcasing an array of tanks, soldiers, and weaponry. This act served both as an intimidation tactic and as an example of how modern warfare extends to cyberspace and outer space.
Deactivating a satellite can cause immense disruption without a single shot being fired. This can be achieved by compromising the satellite's security software or by interfering with its capability to send or receive signals to and from Earth. "If you can interrupt a satellite's communication, the resulting disruption can be significant," noted Tom Pace, CEO of NetRise, a cybersecurity firm dedicated to protecting supply chains. Tom, who has prior experience with cyber issues at the Department of Energy, added, "Consider the impact of losing GPS; the ensuing confusion would be substantial."
Satellites present a pressing challenge. Currently, more than 12,000 satellites orbit our planet, playing a crucial role not just in broadcasting communications, but also in military operations, GPS navigation, intelligence gathering, and economic supply chains. They are essential for early detection of missile launches, providing warnings about impending attacks. Thus, these satellites represent a significant national security vulnerability and are prime targets for adversaries aiming to disrupt an opponent's economy or military readiness—or, as seen with Ukraine, to deliver a psychological blow.
Hackers often target the weakest link in the systems supporting a satellite or overseeing its communications with Earth. Although the physical satellite might be secure, outdated software can leave it vulnerable to exploitation. When Russian forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, Viasat, a US-based satellite company utilized by Ukraine's government and military, was targeted. Kyiv alleged Moscow orchestrated the cyberattack, which used malware to infect tens of thousands of modems, leading to widespread outages across Europe.
National security officials warn that Russia is developing a space-based nuclear weapon. This weapon is reportedly designed to eliminate nearly every satellite in low-Earth orbit simultaneously. The destruction would combine a physical attack causing collateral damage alongside a nuclear component designed to disable electronics. The United States declassified this information following public warnings by Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, about the weapon’s development. Turner urged the Department of Defense for a classified briefing to lawmakers on the weapon, which if deployed, would breach an existing international treaty banning weapons of mass destruction in space. He compared this potential threat to Sputnik, the Soviet satellite that launched the space race in 1957, saying, "If this anti-satellite nuclear weapon is placed in space, it would mark the end of the space age. This is akin to the Cuban Missile Crisis in space."
Mining possibilities on the moon and beyond are potential sources of future conflict. The moon's abundant resources, such as helium-3—a material that holds promise for nuclear fusion—are drawing global interest. Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy declared plans to deploy a small nuclear reactor on the moon, emphasizing the need for the US to assert itself ahead of potential moves by China or Russia. "We are in a race to the moon, particularly against China," Duffy stated. "For a lunar base, energy and key site control are crucial. We aim to be the first to claim these for America."
Joseph Rooke, a London-based cybersecurity expert who has worked in the UK defense industry and is now Director of Risk Insights at Recorded Future, pointed out, "The cessation of the Cold War temporarily stalled space investments, but the idea of lunar mining is transforming this landscape. If you control Earth's energy resources, it's effectively a game-changer." China and Russia have outlined plans for their own lunar nuclear facilities, while the US is planning further missions to both the Moon and Mars—as the increasing energy demands of AI fuel competition.
Efforts to get a statement from the Russian Embassy in Washington went unanswered. However, China has voiced opposition to any escalation of an arms race in space. Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, commented, "China opposes militarization of space by the US. Beijing argues that America should cease its expanding military presence in space and misleading narratives, and instead, uphold peaceful use and security in outer space." (AP)
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