What are man-made threats to space systems?

What are man-made threats to space systems?

• A. Solar radiation and orbital debris
• B. Jamming, cyberattacks, and anti-satellite weapons
• C. Weather disturbances
• D. Meteoroid impacts

Answer: (B)

The focus is on threats that come from human actions designed to disrupt space capabilities. Jamming interferes with satellite communications and navigation by overpowering or corrupting signals, making it hard for users to rely on those systems. Cyberattacks target the control networks, data links, or the satellite’s own systems to degrade, steal, or disable operations, undermining mission integrity and safety. Anti-satellite weapons are designed to physically damage or destroy satellites, removing critical assets from orbit. These are distinct from natural or incidental hazards. Solar radiation and orbital debris are environmental factors tied to the space environment and past or ongoing activity, weather disturbances affect the Earth’s atmosphere rather than space systems directly, and meteoroid impacts are natural, non-human hazards.

The focus is on threats that come from human actions designed to disrupt space capabilities. Jamming interferes with satellite communications and navigation by overpowering or corrupting signals, making it hard for users to rely on those systems. Cyberattacks target the control networks, data links, or the satellite’s own systems to degrade, steal, or disable operations, undermining mission integrity and safety. Anti-satellite weapons are designed to physically damage or destroy satellites, removing critical assets from orbit.

These are distinct from natural or incidental hazards. Solar radiation and orbital debris are environmental factors tied to the space environment and past or ongoing activity, weather disturbances affect the Earth’s atmosphere rather than space systems directly, and meteoroid impacts are natural, non-human hazards.