Steely Newsletter Issue #061 |
Read all about the Tanager-1 hyperspectral earth imaging satellite, how DARPA's new AI space tool can flag malicious satellites hiding inside larger foreign satellite constellations, the UK space industry developing it's launching capabilities to support their growing space ambitions, and so much more! |
|
|---|
| | Planet.com | Planet Labs PBC | 06-06-2024 Planet Labs, a company that provides daily Earth observation data, is launching its first hyperspectral satellite, Tanager-1. This satellite will be used to image Earth in more detail than ever before, allowing scientists to study things like greenhouse gas emissions and plant health. Tanager-1 is the result of a collaboration between Planet Labs, Carbon Mapper, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The satellite is scheduled to launch in July on board a SpaceX rideshare mission. | C4ISRNET | Courtney Albon | 06-05-2024 With the growing number of satellites launched by governments and companies,
there are concerns that some constellations might be hiding military capabilities. To address this challenge, DARPA partnered with Slingshot Aerospace to develop an AI system called Agatha. Agatha can identify unusual satellites within large constellations and analyze their behavior to understand their motivations. This technology is particularly important as countries like China and Russia are actively developing space weapons. | Via Satellite | Roger Cochetti | 06-04-2024 The recent acquisition of Intelsat by SES, a Luxembourg-based satellite operator, marks a turning point in the history of space exploration. This event signifies the conclusion of what can be described as Chapter III of the Space Age, and ushers in a new era with fundamentally different rules. |
|
|
|---|
|
🛡️Satellite Cybersecurity News |
| Via Satellite | Mark Holmes | 06-07-2024 The Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) has maintained the space industry Threat Level at Level 3, which is High for the space industry. This assessment is based on various factors, including continuous cyberattacks on space entities, the growing capabilities of nation-state actors, and the expansion of counterspace weapons. The industry also faces threats from evolving cyber techniques, unpatched vulnerabilities, and the unpredictable effects of space weather. These combined factors keep the space industry on high alert. | Space News | Matthew Heideman | 06-04-2024 A growing trend of collaboration in space and increased use of remote access have exposed critical ground stations to cyberattacks. These ground stations, traditionally isolated, are now interconnected and often run outdated software, making them vulnerable. To mitigate these risks, the author proposes a four-pronged approach. First, granting least privilege, just-in-time access would limit potential damage from a breach. Second, a gateway system would allow modern security measures to be applied to older ground stations. Third, a distributed password vault would eliminate the use of shared credentials, a prime target for attackers. Finally, zero-trust data exchange would secure sensitive information traveling through these stations. By implementing these solutions, ground stations can be secured in this evolving threat landscape. |
|
|
|---|
|
| | Via Satellite | Mark Holmes | 05-28-2024 The UK space industry is on the cusp of a historic moment with the potential for its first vertical orbital launch this August. This launch attempt by Rocket Factory Augsburg from Shetland will be closely watched, following Virgin Orbit's unsuccessful air launch last year. The UK Space Agency believes successful launches are crucial for the nation's space ambitions and is exploring ways to further support the industry. Other companies like Orbex are also developing launch vehicles, with Orbex focusing on an environmentally friendly design. While there are inherent risks involved, experts predict several launches could take place by the end of 2025, with a mix of successes and failures expected during this initial phase. |
|
|
|---|
|
🏛️US Government Satellite News |
| National Defense Magazine | Sean Carberry | 06-06-2024 The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is developing a space-based hypersonic tracking system to address the challenge of hypersonic missiles. The traditional ground-based systems provide insufficient warning time due to the speed of these missiles. The first test of the new system, which involves tracking a hypersonic target, is expected to take place within a week. The MDA is also working on other new systems to counter emerging threats, while striving to balance the development costs with those of sustaining existing systems. | Space News | Sandra Erwin | 06-05-2024 The U.S. military is moving away from large satellites in favor of constellations of smaller ones. This shift, known as disaggregation, is being driven by a desire for faster development cycles, lower costs, and increased resilience against attack. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is leading the way in this effort, and the Space Force is following suit with plans to disaggregate its communications, navigation, and weather monitoring systems. The Pentagon is also looking to disaggregate its space domain awareness capabilities, which involve monitoring objects in Earth orbit. Industry leaders see this as a long-overdue correction, and the Space Force is actively working to leverage the commercial small-satellite industry. | C4ISRNET | Courtney Albon | 06-05-2024 The United States Space Force is looking to improve its space domain awareness capabilities by collaborating with private companies. Currently, the Space Force uses geostationary satellites to monitor objects in space. The goal is to develop a new generation of smaller, more maneuverable satellites with various sensors and refueling capacities. Industry input is crucial for the Space Force to determine the precise technical specifications it needs for these future satellites. This shift towards commercially-driven solutions will allow the Space Force to benefit from the latest advancements in space technology at a lower cost. |
|
|
|---|
|
|
| | | |  | |
|  | |
| |
|---|
|
|
|
| | | 11111 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA, 20190 |
| | | | |
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
