Introduction

The space security and space war aspects of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine have manifested in various ways since the beginning of the war, which began last 24 February 2022. However, it was preceded by months of build-up, as massive military vehicle parks were created at various places along the Russian and Belarusian borders – all viewed from space. The following is an overview list of the various issues that have arisen since the inception of the conflict.

Space Security and Warfare Issues

15-16 November 2021:  Russia conducted an anti-satellite missile test that endangered every user of outer space.  Russian Space Agency Roscosmos Head Dmitry Rogozin has stated “Russia will treat any hacking of its satellites as a justification for war”; further stating: “Off-lining the satellites of any country is actually a casus belli, a “cause for war”.

Remote Sensing Images

Remote sensing images acquired from commercial firms have been used to provide real-time data to assist humanitarian relief efforts. As well, remote sensing images have allowed news services, and other agencies the ability for round-the-clock monitoring of military activity and other impacts of the conflict.

Rival GPS

The two global positioning systems (GPS) could be susceptible to attack in the armed conflict in Ukraine. The United States operates the GPS.  The Russian Federation maintains its own GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigazionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema). The Russian global system is fully operational and consists of 24+ satellites.

Russia has the ability to use jamming, spoofing (GPS receivers), and launch cyberattacks against civil GPS satellites, signals, and satellite communications services. The Russian military has routinely jammed GPS in Eastern Ukraine since the Crimean conflict in 2014. Much more expansive efforts could potentially have worldwide systems cascade effects, causing many to lose the ability to navigate safely and cripple the global financial system, which relies on GPS to register and timestamp transactions, among other uses.

The Russian military possesses several deployable laser dazzling batteries. The laser can blind a satellite camera as a target craft passes overhead.

Third-Party Reversible Attacks on Satellites

The Russian State, or more likely third-Party hackers, could launch reversible attacks on satellites operated by commercial companies. Reversible attacks could be used to target Commercial firms, who have been keeping eyes on, and making public the movement and location of Russian military forces on Ukrainian territories, such as the ongoing public monitoring of the massive road train of vehicles currently outside of Kyiv.

https://oodaloop.com/archive/2022/02/18/what-the-c-suite-needs-to-know-about-the-threat-to-space-based-systems-and-what-to-do-about-it/

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