October 28, 2011 / Juval Aviv

Hackers Take Control of US Satellites

According to a recent draft report to Congress, at least two U.S. environment-monitoring satellites were interfered with four or more times in 2007 and 2008 via a ground station in Norway. Chinese hackers are suspected, but this has not been confirmed.

The report, while not being specific, says that the hackers “achieved all steps required to command” the satellites without ever actually exercising that control.

While nothing came of this hack, it is disturbing because of what it could mean for satellites with more sensitive functions.