With America outspending the rest of the world on space technologies, those systems and their blueprints are a highly alluring and lucrative target for sticky-fingered spies, Uncle Sam has reminded industry.
Compromised satellite constellations, for instance, could disrupt communications networks and critical infrastructure on the ground, it is feared. "FIEs use cyberattacks, strategic investment , the targeting of key supply chain nodes, and other techniques to gain access to the US space industry," the alert [The Feds cite financial sector estimates that indicate growth in the global space economy will jump from $469 billion in 2021 to more than $1 trillion by 2030. And earlier this month, in a talk at the Black Hat security conference, an academicis relatively easy, particularly if the satellites use off-the-shelf components.
Considering the amount of money US organizations are pumping into space, stealing their blueprints and other proprietary information can help foreign governments advance their space programs on America's dime, while also boosting their own national security and communications programs.