Threats to Satellite Systems in the Earth Orbit

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3849/aimt.01853

Keywords:

satellites, satellite systems, threats, anti-satellite weapons, space weather, space management, space situational awareness, space debris

Abstract

A large number of satellites operate in Earth's orbit. These are satellites for Earth observation, navigation, meteorology and climate, communication, and many others. They perform tasks and provide services without which today's world would not function. All these satellites are highly vulnerable. There are different kinds of threats. It is primarily space debris and various natural threats such as near-Earth objects and space weather. There are also intentional, man-made threats. These are divided into kinetic, non-kinetic, electronic and cybernetic. The article discusses the development of knowledge of individual types of threats and discusses possible ways to recognize these threats and how to protect vital satellites from them.

Author Biography

  • Vladimir Kovarik, University of Defence

    Department of Military Geography and Meteorology

References

SHEEHAN, M. Defining Space Security. In: K. SCHROGL, P. HAYS, J. ROBINSON, D. MOURA and C. GIANNOPAPA, eds. Handbook of Space Security. New York: Springer, 2015, pp. 7-21. ISBN 978-1-4614-2028-6.

Space Security [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-08-08]. Available from: https://spacesecurityindex.org/space-security

ESA’s Annual Space Environment Report [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-08-08]. Available from: https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris/ESA_s_Space_Environment_Report_2022

Challenges to Security in Space: Space Reliance in an Era of Competition and Expansion [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-08-08]. Available from: https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/trecms/AD1209077

Space Environment Statistics [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-18]. Available from: https://sdup.esoc.esa.int/discosweb/statistics

IADC-23-01 - IADC Report on the Status of the Space Debris Environment [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-18]. Available from: https://www.iadc-home.org/documents_public/view/id/248#u

KESSLER, D.J. and B.G. COUR-PALAIS. Collision Frequency of Artificial Satellites: The Creation of a Debris Belt. JGR Space Physics 1978, 83(A6), pp. 2637-2646. https://doi.org/10.1029/JA083iA06p02637.

WALL, M. Kessler Syndrome and the Space Debris Problem [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.space.com/kessler-syndrome-space-debris

N° 10–1993: First European Conference on Space Debris [online]. 1993 [viewed 2023-08-18]. Available from: https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/First_European_Conference_on_Space_Debris

Space Safety: ESA’s Planetary Defence Office [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Safety_ESA_s_Planetary_Defence_Office

NEO Earth Close Approaches [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/

Near-Earth Objects and Planetary Defence [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.unoosa.org/res/oosadoc/data/documents/2023/stspace/stspace73_0_html/st-space-073E.pdf

Space Situational Awareness: Detecting Space Hazards [online]. 2017 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/BR-338/BR-338.pdf

Space Weather [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/space-weather

Solar Wind [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-wind

Encyclopedia Astronautica: Bold Orion [online]. 2019 [viewed 2222-08-24]. Available from: http://www.astronautix.com/b/boldorion.html

Space Threat Assessment 2022 [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.csis.org/analysis/space-threat-assessment-2022

GRUSS, M. U.S. Official: China Turned to Debris-free ASAT Tests Following 2007 Outcry [online]. 2016 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://spacenews.com/u-s-official-china-turned-to-debris-free-asat-tests-following-2007-outcry

TATE, K. Russian Satellite Crash with Chinese ASAT Debris Explained [online]. 2021 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.space.com/20145-russian-satellite-chinese-debris-crash-infographic.html

JOHNSON, N.L., E. STANSBERY, J.-C. LIOU, M. HORSTMAN, C. STOKELY and D. WHITLOCK. The Characteristics and Consequences of the Break-Up of the Fengyun-1C Spacecraft. Acta Astronautica, 2008, 63(1-4), pp. 128-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2007.12.044.

WEEDEN, B. and V. SAMSON. India’s ASAT Test is Wake-Up Call for Norms of Behavior in Space [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://spacenews.com/op-ed-indias-asat-test-is-wake-up-call-for-norms-of-behavior-in-space

LANGBROEK M. Why India’s ASAT Test Was Reckless [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/why-indias-asat-test-was-reckless

Russian Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Test Creates Significant, Long-Lasting Space Debris [online]. 2021 [viewed 2023-08-22]. Available from: https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/2842957/russian-direct-ascent-anti-satellite-missile-test-creates-significant-long-last/

On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-07]. Available from: https://nexis.gsfc.nasa.gov/osam-1.html

FEIBELMAN, W.A. Geophysical Effects of High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions. Nature, 1959, 184, 442. ISSN 1476-4687.

SENGUPTA, P.R. Ionospheric Effects of High-Altitude Nuclear Explosions. Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, 1964, 26(9), pp. 919-923. ISSN 1879-1824.

KING, G. Going Nuclear Over the Pacific. Smithsonian Magazine, 2012 [viewed 2023-09-07]. Available from: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/going-nuclear-over-the-pacific-24428997

Directed Energy Weapons: High-Power Microwaves [online]. [viewed 2023-09-08]. Available from: https://www.nre.navy.mil/organization/departments/aviation-force-projection-and-integrated-defense/aerospace-science-research-351/directed-energy-weapons-high-power-microwaves

Directed Energy Weapons [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-08]. Available from: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106717.pdf

NRO Confirms Chinese Laser Test Illuminated U.S. Spacecraft [online]. 2006 [viewed 2023-09-07]. Available from: https://spacenews.com/nro-confirms-chinese-laser-test-illuminated-us-spacecraft/

ROULAND, C. Securing Satellites: The New Space Race [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-09-07]. Available from: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2019/05/09/securing-satellites

TUCKER, P. The NSA Is Studying Satellite Hacking [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-09-09]. Available from: https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2019/09/nsa-studying-satellite-hacking/160009

DAVID, J.E. and C. BYVIK. What’s Up There, Where Is It, and What’s It Doing? The U.S. Space Surveillance Network [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-09]. Available from: https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/intelligence/2023-03-13/whats-there-where-it-and-whats-it-doing-us-space-surveillance

KOPAL, V. Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies [online]. 1966 [viewed 2023-06-06]. Available from: https://legal.un.org/avl/ha/tos/tos.html

GRUSH, L. How an International Treaty Signed 50 Years Ago Became the Backbone for Space Law [online]. 2017 [viewed 2023-06-06]. Available from: https://www.theverge.com/2017/1/27/14398492/outer-space-treaty-50-anniversary-exploration-guidelines

Science & Technology Trends 2023-2043. Vol. 2: Analysis [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://technology-observatory.ch/science-technology-trends-2023-2043/

A/74/20 - Report of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space [online]. 2019 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.unoosa.org/res/oosadoc/data/documents/2019/a/a7420_0_html/V1906077.pdf

Approving 21 Drafts, First Committee Asks General Assembly to Halt Destructive Direct-Ascent Anti-Satellite Missile Tests in Outer Space [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-06-06]. Available from: https://press.un.org/en/2022/gadis3703.doc.htm

FOUST, J. United Nations General Assembly approves ASAT test ban resolution [online]. 2022 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://spacenews.com/united-nations-general-assembly-approves-asat-test-ban-resolution/

IADC-02-01 - Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines [online]. 2020 [viewed 2023-06-06]. Available from: https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/library/iadc-space-debris-guidelines-revision-2.pdf

Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council: European Union Space Strategy for Security and Defence [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7315-2023-INIT/en/pdf

NASA Orbital Debris Program Office [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/

Space Weather Prediction Center [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-09]. Available from: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov

Space-Track.org [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.space-track.org/#catalog

Space Fence [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/space-fence.html

Space Safety Programme at Ministerial Council [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.esa.int/ Space_Safety/Space_Safety_Programme_at_Ministerial_Council

Space Weather at ESA [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://swe.ssa.esa.int/ssa-space-weather-activities

Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://neo.ssa.esa.int

Mission, Users and Partners [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.satcen.europa.eu/who-we-are/our-mission

EU Space Surveillance and Tracking. Services [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.eusst.eu/services

NASA’s Starling Mission Sending Swarm of Satellites into Orbit [online]. 2023 [viewed 2023-09-01]. Available from: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/starling

Downloads

Published

04-08-2024

Issue

Section

Technical Information

Categories

How to Cite

Kovarik, V. (2024). Threats to Satellite Systems in the Earth Orbit. Advances in Military Technology, 19(1), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.3849/aimt.01853

Similar Articles

1-10 of 159

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.