Space & Cybersecurity Newsletter - January 2021

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

45th Space Wing forecasts more than 50 launches in 2021

Of the launches in 2021, the U.S. 45th Space Wing projects that there will be three human spaceflight missions under the recently sworn in commander, Brig. Gen. Stephen Purdy - 2 from SpaceX, and one from Boeing. In late 2021, it is projected that the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur will make its debut launch. SpaceX kicked off the year with their launch of a Turkish satellite, and will continue to launch satellites, including batches of Starlink internet satellites.

SPACE THREATS & ADVERSARIAL EFFORTS

Raymond on China’s space program: “It’s alive, well and concerning”

U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. John Raymond highlights the impending threat that China’s rapidly advancing space program and space weapons pose to U.S. space systems. He notes that the development of SpaceWERX ensures we are meeting this threat on its face through fostering partnerships and rapidly innovating, but reminds us of the red tape in the way of a potentially accelerating U.S. space program. In ensuring the Space Force does not become a big and slow bureaucratic machine, Raymond describes the importance of a flat structure, and shared decision making at all levels of command.

 
Jay Ambrose: Cyberattacks no small thing

Jay Ambrose with the Hasting Tribune drives home the notion that the Biden administration must address the intersection of space and cyber from the onset of taking office. The impact of the Russian cyber attacks, and the steady progression of China’s space program have indicated the complexity of these threats. Ambrose acknowledges the creation of the Space Force, but stresses the need for cyberspace defense to be just as robust.

SPACE & CYBER SYSTEMS

AIAA White Paper Calls for Cyber Protection in the Aerospace Industry

In a white paper on cybersecurity, The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) shared their findings from the AIAA Aerospace Cybersecurity Market Study. These findings include a demand for increased cybersecurity awareness in the aerospace industry, cybersecurity at all steps in the supply chain, and cybersecurity curriculum for university students as well as current industry professionals.

WHITE HOUSE SPACE POLICY

Senate passes NASA authorization act

On December 18, 2020, the Senate unanimously approved a NASA authorization bill. While this bill is largely symbolic, it is intended to pave the way for updated legislation this year. This bill supported NASA’s exploration programs and extended the authorization of International Space Station operations through 2030. Ted Cruz, the bill’s lead sponsor, and the other sponsors hope to overcome debate about some of its provisions such as one that requires NASA to review the relationships its contractors have with China. Audrey Powers, chair of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation’s board, noted the bill’s support of public-private sponsorship, saying, “It sends a strong message that partnerships with America’s commercial space sector provide NASA with the world’s most innovative and affordable technologies and solutions to achieve its ambitious missions across the solar system.”

 
The Future of Space Force in a World that Has No Up or Down

This article summarizes the history of the Space Force, from Sputnik until today. It explores the current debate over issues such as increasing bureaucracy, efficiency in acquisition, and the lack of cybersecurity focus in the Department of Defense. Some critics of the Space Force cite that while space is an emerging domain, cyber threats are already here and should have more resources allocated to that sector of defense. There is a thought that militarizing space sets the conditions for war; that our mere presence in space and our capability to project combat power from space invites challenge and conflict. Seen another way, a strong space presence can be a form of deterrence against war. All the debate amounts to a tall order for a young service, born on the tail end of the nation’s longest war at a time when political and cultural divisions throughout the country have even led to strong public opinion for and against its very existence.

THANK YOU

Thank you for coming to us here at the CCI for your space and cyber-related news. We welcome any feedback you may have. We will see you next month, and don’t forget to keep up on your own cyber hygiene.

Until next time,

The CCI Team

Contact us at:

cci@calpoly.edu