T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing

As space becomes an increasingly important part of global communications, national security, and critical infrastructure, European governments are confronting a difficulty: How much control do they need over their own space capabilities? In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with producer Ethan Cook⁠⁠⁠ to examine the growing push for European space sovereignty and the challenges standing in the way. The conversation explores how supply-chain dependencies can undermine national and regional independence, even when satellites and launch systems are built domestically. Additionally, the two also discuss the trade-offs between complete self-sufficiency and maintaining resilient, diversified internat...

As space becomes an increasingly critical part of modern infrastructure, governments are reevaluating decades of policy to ensure reliable, secure, and independent access to the systems they are increasingly relying on. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with producer Ethan Cook⁠ to explore Europe's evolving space strategy and how it is increasingly prioritizing space sovereignty. During the conversation, they examine the EU's proposed Space Act and how it aims to improve the region's space security, sustainability, and reliability for years to come.⁠⁠⁠ Key sources: EU Space Act. EU Space Strategy for Securi...

As the world prepares itself for quantum computing, governments and private space enterprises alike are looking to get ahead of the technology and manage the rapidly-accelerating risks. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with ⁠⁠⁠Eddy Zervigon, CEO of Quantum XChange to discuss the impacts that the post-quantum world will have impact on the space sector. During the conversation, they explore what stakeholders are doing to prepare themselves for Q-day and what a post-quantum world could look like.⁠ Key sources: USHERING IN THE NEXT FRONTIER OF QUANTUM INNOVATION Like what...

Over the past two decades, the space industry has changed dramatically, evolving from a largely government led effort to one that is now rooted in private enterprises driving growth and innovation. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with ⁠⁠⁠Damian DiPippa, CEO of Auria Space, to discuss how the commercialization of the space industry is driving new changes. During the conversation, they explore the future of command and control, cyber resilience, and the growing partnership between commercial and national security space. Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe to our free Signals...

Despite the space sector seeing greater investment and attention year-over-year, the sector still remains bound by an outdated and ineffective supply chain, especially in the United States. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Doug Anderson, Partner at PwC, and Steve Jordan-Tomaszewski, Vice President of the Space Systems Division at AIA, to dive into PwC’s recent study looking at the sector’s supply chain limitations. During the conversation, they examine the supply chain’s base risks and bottlenecks, and what strategies can be utilized to address these concerns. Key sources: <...

Traditionally, GPS jamming attacks have been confined to the ground; however, new data shows that these attacks could be moving to target signals before they even reach the ground. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Dave Bittner and Brandon Karpf to discuss recent research that suggests the attack landscape for GPS attacks is expanding. If this research is accurate, these attacks represent a significant evolution for how defenders think about this critical technology. Key sources: Something is jamming GPS over Europe. Here's what we found. Chasing Li...

For years, space cybersecurity has been a long sought after goal, but due to operational constraints, it was largely unfeasible. In this week’s episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with journalist Shaun Waterman to discuss his recent article “The Newest Space Race is Cyber.” As space has increasingly become a critical infrastructure component, industry leaders and security agencies alike have begun to launch new initiatives to improve capabilities both on the ground and in orbit. Key sources: The Newest Space Race is Cyber. DHS Wants Satellite Volunteers to Test New Cyber...

GPS constellations have become foundational in modern society supporting everything from navigation to financial services, making the impacts of GPS disruptions all the more concerning. As reliance on these systems have grown, so too have efforts by threat actors to disrupt them through techniques such as jamming and spoofing. As these attacks have become more effective, they are becoming increasingly common, especially in conflict zones where disruption and confusion can prove exceedingly valuable. Key sources: Information about GPS Jamming What is GPS Spoofing? GPS jamming: The invisible battle in...

Since its original creation in the 1970s, GPS has evolved from a technology primarily used by the military to a foundation for modern society.  After the removal of selective availability for civilians in 2000, GPS’s value has significantly expanded. In the past two decades, nearly every critical infrastructure sector–telecommunications, transportation, energy, agriculture, emergency services, and financial services–relies on GPS constellations to ensure that timing and location accuracy are precise. Though many do not see its utility in day-to-day efforts, GPS has become entrenched in modern networks and services. Key sources: Removal of selective availab...

Despite being an indispensable technology, traditional GPS remains vulnerable to exploitation and is needed for an update. In this week's episode, host Maria Varmazis sits down with Dr. Sean Gorman, CEO of Zephr.xyz, to discuss the current state of GPS. For decades, GPS has been a cornerstone technology for private, public, and military entities; however, through new technological advancements, companies and governments are looking to modernize this technology. Key sources: Next Generation Operational Control Systems. Why GPS III, and what comes after it, still falls short in modern war. <...

For years, in-space internet capabilities were rarely worth the hassle. Now, that’s changing. In today’s episode, Maria Varmazis and Ethan Cook sit down to discuss how internet data moves through space systems and its recent advancements. For decades, GEO satellites made up most of the marketplace; however, LEO satellites are changing the landscape improving connectivity and speeds. Key sources: In-space relay and WiFi services. Space Development Agency On Orbit. Like what you heard? Be sure to subscribe to our free Signals and Space Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, our Sunday newsletter covering the intersection of cybersecurity and space. Su...

T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing  from N2K CyberWire examines the  expanding attack surface created between Earth and orbit. Each week, we cover space and cyber developments that bridge technology, commerce, and innovation. We are the cybersecurity industry’s source for understanding how space-based infrastructure reshapes digital networks,  risk, and resilience globally.

In anticipation of our launch this weekend of T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing podcast, please enjoy this interview that CyberWire Daily's Dave Bittner had with Brandon Karpf. They discuss: "⁠Japan’s space systems face growing cybersecurity threats.⁠" Stay tuned for the first episode of T-Minus: Space-Cyber Briefing on Sunday with host Maria Varmazis and tune in each Sunday for new episodes!

This week on our Deep Space episode, Maria talks with Dave Roscoe, President of Satellite IoT for ORBCOMM and Skywave. They discuss the rollout of ORBCOMM’s latest purpose-built industrial satellite IoT network and what it signals for the future of mission-critical connectivity. As satellite connectivity and device costs continue to decrease, organizations are rethinking where — and how — industrial IoT can be deployed across transportation, logistics, energy, maritime, agriculture, and remote infrastructure operations. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week on our Deep Space episode, Maria speaks with ⁠⁠⁠TransAstra's CEO Joe Sercel about their recently demonstrated capture-bag technology aboard the ISS, drawing attention for its potential role in orbital debris cleanup. Debris removal is only the beginning. The real goal is far bigger: asteroid mining as future space infrastructure. Sercel walks us through how the same capture system designed to safely enclose debris could eventually be used to secure near-Earth asteroids—unlocking access to water, propellant, and raw materials that enable sustained operations beyond Earth orbit.. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠TransAstra's work. Remember to leave us a 5-s...

You can learn more about AWS in Orbit at ⁠⁠space.n2k.com/aws⁠⁠. Our guests on this episode are Tony Jacobs, Senior Solution Acceleration Manager at AWS, and Russell Glenn, Chief Strategy Officer at Viasat. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. Selected Reading ⁠⁠AWS Aerospace and Satellite⁠⁠ Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here’s our ⁠⁠media kit...

Please enjoy this encore while the team is out on vacation. When satellites burn up upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, they release particles and gases, including metals like aluminium, which may affect atmospheric chemistry. This process, known as atmospheric ablation, is still poorly understood, but early evidence suggests metal content in the atmosphere is rising. To address these uncertainties, the UK Space Agency commissioned three targeted studies to investigate the potential impacts of satellite re-entry. We spoke to Professor Minkawn Kim from the University of Southampton about his findings. You can hear the Pro...

You can learn more about AWS in Orbit at ⁠space.n2k.com/aws⁠. Our guests on this episode are Rebecca Meads, Senior Solutions Architect at AWS, Chris Dowin, VP of Engineering at Pole Star Defense, and Tim Durmish, Director of DevOps at Pole Star Global. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Be sure to follow T-Minus on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠Instagram⁠. Selected Reading ⁠AWS Aerospace and Satellite⁠ Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the mo...

This week on our Deep Space episode, we look forward to the return of Artemis II as we take a look toward the future of space manufacturing on our interview segment. At the time of recording, the crew of Artemis II was heading back to earth. Maria speaks with ⁠⁠Alastair McGibbon⁠⁠, Head of Semiconductors at ⁠⁠Space Forge⁠⁠, about the growing role of low Earth orbit in advanced materials manufacturing. They explore why microgravity enables higher-performance semiconductor production, what problems space-based fabrication can solve for terrestrial supply chains, and how companies like Space Forge are working to scale orbital manufact...

On this Deep Space episode, we share our ⁠NEXUS segment⁠, where ⁠Parker Wishik⁠ of the ⁠Aerospace Corporation⁠ interviews ⁠Brandon Bailey⁠, also from Aerospace, and Kassandra Vogel, ⁠Blue Origin⁠’s Director of Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance. They discuss space cybersecurity priorities, emerging threats, and industry collaboration, giving a great look at how the industry protects its missions. We also celebrate the historic Artemis 2 launch on April 1st, sending astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen toward the moon and receiving their official go for Trans-Lunar Injection—a milestone for human spaceflight and international collaboration. Resources: <...