The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence's National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) issued a bulletin on August 18, alerting the public that foreign intelligence agencies may use cyberattacks, front companies, or traditional espionage to gather sensitive data about American space capabilities or cutting-edge technologies. The threat also mentions the employment of counter space technologies, such as hacking or jamming of satellites, to interfere with or harm American satellite systems.
As noted by the NCSC bulletin, foreign intelligence agencies "recognize the importance of the commercial space industry to the U.S. economy and national security, including the growing dependence of critical infrastructure on space-based assets."
A set of guidelines is provided in the statement to assist private enterprises in minimizing any potential harm that these espionage attempts may create. The warning comes as funding for the U.S. space sector is rising rapidly with America’s satellite infrastructure expanding at an unparalleled rate.
NCSC further mentions a number of ways that foreign intelligence can seek to gain access to space agencies, to get hold of their insights and new technologies. Some of these methods appeared innocent enough, such as approaching space industry professionals at conferences or getting in touch with them through online forums to get information.
Other methods were more linked to ‘business dealings,’ through which foreign intel agencies frequently try to obtain access to sensitive information by investing in space companies through joint ventures or shell companies, or by buying their way into the supply chain that American aerospace companies rely on for the sourcing of parts and materials.
Some of the other methods mentioned were more explicit in nature, like carrying out cyberattacks or breaching private networks to steal intellectual property.
Moreover, the NCSC's bulletin warned the private space sector and stated that foreign intelligence agencies can compromise American national security by "collecting sensitive data related to satellite payloads, disrupting and degrading U.S. satellite communications, remote sensing and imaging capabilities," and targeting American commercial space infrastructure during interstate hostilities.