Suspected Chinese hackers in 2007 and 2008 access to obtain to the aansturingssoftware of the Terra EOS and Landsat 7 satellites. The attackers would, however, control of the satellites have not been abused.
The incidents are described in an American overheidsdocument that this month is published on the website of the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission. In October 2007, and July 2008 the Landsat 7 satellite for a few minutes not by the US Geological Survey can be controlled. The attackers would attempt to gain access to the aansturingssoftware of the year, but not all necessary steps have managed to go through.
In a second wave of attacks, focusing on the Terra EOS satellite of Nasa, knew the attackers in June 2008 and October 2008, however, gain full access to the aansturingssoftware. There could, however, not direct commands to the Terra EOS are sent. According to the U.s. government operated the hackers likely from China because the attack characteristics with previous attacks from the communist-led country.
The report warned of the hazards as satellites by other countries can be inherited. Not only is a cracked satellite is unreachable, this can also become ungovernable. In addition, should an enemy state can look to the information which the particular satellite will collect or even data can be manipulated.
The authors of the report mention the fact that the United States ground stations use outside U.s. territory are, as a vulnerability. These ground stations could communicate over the internet instead of shielded networks to use. In addition, the Pentagon recommended to exercises with scenarios where the enemy American satellites know to turn it off. Also would the American military anti-satellite weapons should improve.