The UK military says Russia targets its satellites on a weekly basis. What can be done about it?

The head of UK Space Command states that Russia is targeting UK military satellites on a weekly basis, employing tactics such as "shadowing" and jamming. Shadowing involves a Russian satellite orbiting close to a UK satellite to intercept or jam communications, while jamming disrupts signals by broadcasting on the same frequencies. These attacks do not cause physical damage but temporarily disable communications. Other potential threats include lasers, which can dazzle optical sensors, and direct-ascent missiles that can destroy satellites, creating dangerous space debris. A significant cyberattack in February 2022 against a Viasat satellite network, which crippled internet services for many in Europe and Ukraine, demonstrated the disruptive potential of such attacks. Hackers could also exploit software vulnerabilities to control satellites, potentially altering their orbits. Ground control stations can also be targeted to disrupt satellite operations. This targeting of space infrastructure is not exclusive to the UK; other nations, including France, have reported increased hostile activity in space, particularly since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Adversaries are diversifying their methods, with jamming, lasers, and cyber-attacks becoming common. In response, the UK is increasing its investment in space security, including funding for projects to counter anti-satellite lasers and developing software to monitor and protect critical satellites. The UK is also stre... download the app to read more