Star Wars: China-U.S. rivalry now extends to space

 

November 19, 2011 – BEIJING – A U.S. government report warns of China’s attempt to cripple U.S. space defenses. The report says two U.S. satellites were hacked in 2007 and 2008- attacks resemble those described in Chinese military literature. China appears to be taking its cyber-skirmishes with the U.S. to a new level.  A recent government report reveals that attackers gained access to two U.S. satellites. Meanwhile, China — the suspected culprit — has internally revealed that it’s developing capabilities to cripple an enemy satellite network via either outright destruction or planted misinformation. A U.S. Defense Department report warns: A high level of access could reveal the satellite’s capabilities or information, such as imagery, gained through its sensors. Opportunities may also exist to reconnoiter or compromise other terrestrial or space- based networks used by the satellite. The report points to China preparing a two pronged approach to attack the U.S.’s space capabilities.  The first approach is to use traditional attacks like missiles or orbiters to physically assault enemy satellites (the so-called “hard” attack).  A second “soft” attack approach involves instead using cyber attacks to cripple or interfere with foreign satellites. –Daily Tech 

In 2007, Boston.com reported: The Chinese military used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites orbiting more than 500 miles in space last week — a high-stakes test demonstrating China’s ability to target regions of space that are home to US spy satellites and space-based missile defense systems. The test of anti satellite technology is believed to be the first of its kind in two decades by any nation and raised concerns about the vulnerability of US satellites and a possible arms race in space.–Boston 

That was 4 years ago. One shudders to think how much China’s technology has evolved since then. Perhaps, target grid marks in the middle of the desert in China is our first clue.