Rebecca Grant
Protecting America’s critical infrastructure from cyber hacks is a never-ending problem – and not just on Earth, but on orbit, too. Space is the new frontier for cyberattacks.
America has critical infrastructure at risk in space. From low-earth orbit constellations providing services like broadband to the proliferated satellite architecture for missile warning, and of course, GPS, the U.S. is dependent on space for daily military operations and the functioning of the economy.
Where there is critical infrastructure, there are also hackers. Finding ways to attack America’s military, intelligence, and commercial satellites is a major preoccupation for adversaries.
China is already gunning for U.S. satellites. “This is the most complex and challenging strategic environment that we have seen in a long time, if not ever,” Vice Chief of Space Operations General Michael Guetlein testified to the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 12, 2025. Some attack vectors are kinetic. Picture robot arms dragging satellites to graveyard orbits. Guetlein also described a 2024 Chinese test of dogfighting satellites in space.
Non-kinetic tactics are just as menacing. Jamming, spoofing, and cyberattacks pose increasing threats. “We are at war in the cyber realm, in the non-kinetic realm,” stated Katie Arrington, who was performing the duties of the Pentagon’s Chief Information Officer.
That applies to satellites, too. Satellites over foreign territory are enticing prey. “Don’t accept commands when your satellite is flying over ‘Chiranistan,’” quipped Kyle Shepard, Chief Engineer, SNC.
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