NASA satellites were interfered with four separate times in 2007 and 2008, possibly by the Chinese military, yet China has repeatedly denied any state involvement in cyberattacks against government agencies and firms, including well-publicized attacks on Internet giant Google that sparked a row between Washington and Beijing.
The Landsat-7 satilite experienced 12 or more minutes of “interference” on July 23, 2008 and on June 20, 2008, Terra EOS AM-1, a NASA-managed program for earth observation, experienced two or more minutes of “interference”
According the the official draft report “interference” with Terra EOS AM-1 “achieved all steps required to command the satellite but did not issue commands.”
Four months later October 22, 2008, Terra EOS AM-1 experienced nine more minutes of interference, the report said, and “the responsible party” again “achieved all steps required to command the satellite but did not issue commands.”
The hackers appear to have exploited the information systems of the Svalbard Satellite Station (SvalSat), a commercially operated satellite ground station in Spitsbergen, Norway, to gain access to the satellites, according to the report to be submitted to Congress on November 16
“Such interference poses numerous potential threats, particularly if achieved against satellites with more sensitive functions,” the report said.
“For example, access to a satellite’s controls could allow an attacker to damage or destroy the satellite,” the commission said.
“The attacker could also deny or degrade as well as forge or otherwise manipulate the satellite’s transmission,” it said. “A high level of access could reveal the satellite’s capabilities or information, such as imagery, gained through its sensors.”
The report stressed that ” the techniques appear consistent with authoritative Chinese military writings.”
“Authoritative Chinese military writings advocate for such activities, particularly as they relate to ground-based space infrastructure, such as satellite control facilities,” the report said.
The draft report also accused China of being behind a “range of malicious cyber activities” including state-level involvement in cyberattacks, industrial espionage and the compromise of US and foreign government computer systems.
“In 2011, US and foreign government organizations, defense contractors, commercial entities, and various nongovernmental organizations experienced a substantial volume of network intrusions and attempts with various ties to China,” the report also said.
What with Obama and Hilllary willing to do anything to kiss the Chinese Goverments ass so they will continue to buy treasure bonds the Chinese Govt. now knows it owns our ass and can do as it pleases.
When the shit hits the fan it is going to be epic. We go after Iraq with some made up bullshit about weapons of mass destruction and with better intel and real incidents we just let the Chinese bend us over.
Stock up NOW!