Photo by SpaceX
The United States State Department has cautioned nations against utilizing Chinese satellite services, warning that such actions may allow Beijing to gather military data and sensitive intelligence, as reported by a defense media outlet based in Washington.
The report, released by Defence One, was derived from an internal memorandum acquired from the State Department, which aimed to furnish talking points for officials. Nations collaborating with the US were encouraged to prohibit satellite services offered by Chinese providers. It remained unclear whether the memorandum was directed at long-standing Western allies or all trading partners of the United States.
The memorandum warned that partnering with Chinese space providers operating in low Earth orbit could lead to the transfer of sensitive information to the Chinese government. Furthermore, officials were advised to alert countries that Chinese satellite firms might eliminate competition and monopolize a market controlled by Beijing. The US space industry has been alerted to espionage threats. The US intelligence community has previously issued warnings to its domestic space sector regarding the increasing risks of espionage and satellite assaults from China and Russia.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the US Air Force have indicated that American space enterprises are vulnerable to cyberattacks and strategic investments from Russia and China, all aimed at penetrating the space industry. They also cautioned that such actions jeopardize corporate confidentiality and could disrupt remote sensing and imaging capabilities.
China and Russia have persistently denied allegations of involvement in hacking or other activities aimed at infiltrating or disrupting space systems. Major satellite firms with ties to the US government have already been subjected to cyberattacks. In 2022, Viasat Inc experienced a cyberattack prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, necessitating the replacement of more than 45,000 modems across Europe and other regions. Additionally, Elon Musk’s Starlink has reported experiencing jamming attacks while delivering services to Ukraine.
