Satellites orbiting the Earth are becoming increasingly vulnerable, as recent cyberattacks, such as an incident at Japan’s space agency, have highlighted.
In recognition of the major consequences prolonged disruption to satellites can have on financial transactions, air transportation and weather forecasting, NATO and other countries have identified space as a critical domain to protect.
Safeguarding space-based services and monitoring the activities of others is the core mission of the Space Component Command, a division of the German air force that plans and conducts space operations.