By P. Nelumika, JadeTimes News
As Russian forces crossed into Ukraine, another critical offensive unfolded: a cyberattack targeting satellite communications. This attack, conducted by Russia an hour before its ground invasion in February 2022, sought to disrupt Ukraine’s command and control systems, according to Western governments.
The cyberattack impacted modems connected to a communication satellite, leading to significant disruptions. Wind turbines in Germany stalled, and internet services for tens of thousands of people and businesses across Europe were cut off. In response, Ukraine urgently sought alternative online communication methods.
For governments and security analysts, this event highlighted the vulnerability of satellites, which are increasingly crucial for military operations such as troop positioning, communications, and weapon launches or detection. As nations and companies expand satellite constellations, there is a growing focus on technologies that can disrupt or destroy these assets, not only on the ground but also in space.
Technologies like signal jamming, spoofing, high powered lasers to dazzle sensors, anti satellite missiles, and spacecraft capable of interfering with others in orbit are examples of counter space capabilities. Leading powers such as the United States, Russia, and China are developing these technologies to target each other’s satellites.
In an extreme case, US intelligence suggested that Russia was attempting to develop a space based anti satellite nuclear weapon, a claim Moscow denied. Such a weapon could have
far reaching consequences, potentially disrupting satellites used for weather prediction, disaster response, global navigation, banking, cargo shipping, and emergency services.
Recently, the US accused Russia of launching a satellite capable of attacking others in low Earth orbit. This follows prior Russian satellite launches in 2019 and 2022, which were also suspected to be counterspace systems.
Tracking the development of counter space capabilities is challenging due to their secretive nature and the dual use ambiguity of many space technologies. Both Russia and China have advanced in developing such technologies, while the US continues to build on its space research and capabilities.
The development of counter space technologies is occurring amid a renewed focus on space, with the US and China competing to send astronauts to the moon and build research bases there. Advances in satellite launch technology mean that more actors, including adversaries like North Korea and Iran, are placing assets in orbit.
As geopolitical rivalries intensify on Earth, Beijing and Moscow are increasingly interested in denying the US which has the most extensive ground based capabilities linked to space the ability to use them.
The concept of space based weapons is not new. Decades ago, the US and the Soviet Union competed to develop technologies to disable each other’s satellites. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the US has become the dominant power in space capabilities linked to military operations on Earth, a strength that Russia and China aim to neutralize.
Developing counter space capabilities, such as anti satellite weapons, allows adversaries to disrupt communication, navigation, command, and control systems, and logistics networks that rely on space based systems, according to experts. Denying the US any advantage from space capabilities in conventional military conflicts drives Russia and China’s development and strategies.
Russia has revisited Cold War era anti satellite research programs, such as an aircraft borne laser system to disrupt reconnaissance satellites. Evidence suggests Russia is expanding it's groundbased electronic warfare capabilities with space based technology to jam satellite signals.
Russia has also launched a spacecraft that appears capable of surveilling foreign satellites. Some devices' high velocity and suggestions of others releasing aerosols indicate potential weapons tests.
China announced its counter space ambitions in 2007 by launching a missile to destroy one of its aging weather satellites. This ended a decades long lull in destructive anti satellite missile testing and was followed by similar operations from the US, India, and Russia. China has since conducted multiple non destructive missile tests, advancing its ability to target satellites.
The US Space Force believes China is developing jammers to target satellite communications and has multiple ground based laser systems. Some Chinese satellites, like the Shiyan 7 launched in 2013, are equipped with robotic arms and can approach or rendezvous with others in orbit, potentially for military purposes.
China included safeguarding its "security interests in outer space" among its national defense goals in a 2019 white paper but maintains it stands for the peaceful use of outer space and opposes an arms race. There is no confirmed public evidence of China using counter space capabilities against military targets. Russia has also stated it opposes weapons in space.
The US, which launched its Space Force in 2019, has described itself as a leader in the responsible and peaceful use of outer space. Given its reliance on space for defense, the US has the most at stake in ensuring other countries do not use technologies against satellites. Analysts say this is why the US policy community has long opposed placing weapons in space.
Among all nations, only non destructive capabilities like signal jamming have been actively used against satellites in current military operations. Since its 2008 missile test, the US has pledged to refrain from such destructive anti satellite missile tests, which create dangerous space debris, and is not believed to have an operational program for these capabilities. However, the US could likely field such capabilities quickly if needed.
Cyberattacks could target the operating systems and data of satellites or ground based receivers and equipment, disrupting, intercepting, or breaking communications.