The Final Frontier: Why Space Security Is The New Cybersecurity

It’s easier—and cheaper—to get to space than ever before. How do we protect what we put there?

- Nathan Hurst

On March 27, 2019, the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization let fly a ballistic missile into low earth orbit (LEO). Designed for a “kinetic kill”—one that destroys by impact rather than explosion—the missile struck a satellite at about 186 miles above the surface. The ensuing shower of de-orbiting debris made headlines but didn’t cause an international incident—because the demolished satellite was India’s own.

“India has today established itself as a global space power,” announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a live address. He later added, “The new capability we have developed is not directed against anyone. India has no intention to threaten anyone.”

India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test precipitated some national, international, and corporate soul-searching. Governments, think tanks, founders, and boards discussed how to protect space-based assets from damage, disruption, or destruction—physical or digital, intentional or accidental.

As the new space movement arises, with a focus on more, lower, and cheaper satellites, getting to space has become easier and more cost-effective. That’s great for startups that want to explore business models based on satellites, but the competition they bring reduces the control governments have traditionally leverage over space and introduces new safety concerns. But what’s rarely mentioned is what both governments and startups are doing, or will have to do, to ensure the security and safety of the tech they’re putting up there.