New research identifies more than 237 cyber operations aimed at space infrastructure from 2023 to 2025.
A report from the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zürich documents attacks on satellites and communications systems during the Gaza conflict.
Researchers gathered open-source material to track operations against Israeli space assets and international agencies.
Conflict Drives Rapid Escalation in Space-Linked Cyberattacks
The study records a major spike in June 2025, when 72 incidents occurred during the Israel-Iran confrontation.
Analysts note that cyber activity against space systems now appears frequently in modern conflicts.
Almost all identified threat actors supported Palestinian causes, though pro-Israeli operations may have remained hidden.
Ten attacks followed Hamas’s October 7 assault in 2023, striking groups like the Israel Space Agency and Rafael.
Hacktivists eventually targeted 77 organisations, including Israeli defence firms and international bodies such as NASA.
Attack Methods Reveal Shifting Strategies in Space Warfare
More than 70 percent of the incidents used denial-of-service attacks to overwhelm networks and disrupt access.
Researchers found that attackers also launched breaches, intrusions and data leaks, sometimes timed with major conflict events.
Some hacktivists reused techniques from other wars, including code resembling tools from Ukraine’s cyber campaigns.
Israel’s clash with Iran in June 2025 triggered the highest activity as groups from multiple regions attacked simultaneously.
Experts warn that limited physical impact does not reduce long-term risk, as patterns show escalating cyber interest in space assets.
The study concludes that space-focused cyber defenses must evolve to protect critical infrastructure from future attacks.
