Back
Table of Contents
Europe’s new space cybersecurity testing ground is built in Estonia. And it matters more than you think.
On the same day in 2022 that Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the American Viasat satellite network was hit by a cyberattack. It was the silent, but powerful blow that not many noticed. Even though this attack crossed borders.
The satellite itself, orbiting almost 36,000 kilometres above Earth, remained untouched, of course. But the consequences were felt on the ground across Europe. This serves as an example of why virtual defence matters, even if the target floats as far away as satellites in space.
Nearly 6000 wind turbines in Germany lost connectivity. The internet went down in parts of Europe.
Three years later, Europe is responding with action. A dedicated space cyber defence testing ground is being built in Estonia. The Estonian Space Office and the European Space Agency have agreed to develop Europe’s most open and comprehensive cyber range for testing space technology. So that the smaller players in the market can have access to safer solutions.
“We are developing a virtual environment for testing space technologies,” said Silver Lodi, CEO of Spaceit, the Estonian company leading the project. “It will also serve as a platform for cybersecurity training focused on space-related systems.” Spaceit began as a spin-off of the student satellite initiative ESTCube-1 and now provides software for satellite operations, ground station services, and space cybersecurity.
Working with various Estonian and European organisations, Spaceit is designing a virtual environment where organisations can test their technologies and processes. It helps them understand vulnerabilities and prevent the next Viasat-style incident!
Unlike similar centres serving large space corporations, Estonia’s facility will also be open to small and medium enterprises, research teams, and universities. That matters because space is becoming more accessible. And with more players in the field, risks grow.
Growing threat to space
At first glance, the difference between operating a drone and a satellite doesn’t seem to differ much. But once you send the satellite into space, out of the spinning Earth, unique challenges appear. Antti Tamm, associate professor of astrophysics and director of the Tartu Observatory, explains: “Imagine a satellite orbiting Earth. When it passes out of range, the connection breaks. That is a moment of vulnerability. Someone else could intervene, and we would not know.” That is why global networks of ground stations are needed to maintain continuous contact with an object. One station is not enough.
Also, you cannot just replace the hardware if something breaks or update an ageing satellite. The sun’s radiation can disable a satellite, in which case, physical repairs are not an option.
The threat is growing. When space technology was the domain of large governments, security protocols were tightly controlled. Now that smaller players can launch satellites, there are more entry points for those with malicious intent.
The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), nearly 3,000 objects were launched into space last year. Ten years earlier, the number was around two hundred.
The EU Agency for Cybersecurity reports growing interference with GPS signals in conflict zones, especially near Russia and across the Middle East. Of more than 700 cyber incidents reported in 2024, over half targeted critical infrastructure, according to the European Repository of Cyber Incidents.
“Future wars will be fought in, through, and from space,” the agency warned. Tamm adds: “And safety will be more important than ever.”
Estonia was not chosen by coincidence
Estonia did not land this project by coincidence. For more than 15 years, the country has hosted one of the world’s largest live cyber defence exercises, Locked Shields. Every spring, Tallinn becomes a battlefield of simulated attacks and digital strategy, drawing experts worldwide. In recent years, the exercise has also included space safety.
Estonia is preparing for that future on many levels. A ground copy of the ESTCube-2 satellite, built by engineers and professors in Tartu, will play a key role at the new space cyber defence testing ground. Two Estonian universities are launching space cybersecurity courses soon. The first Estonian lunar rovers are being built. “We want to stay a step ahead,” Tamm said.
Estonia already leads in digital defence on Earth. Extending that expertise into orbit is a logical step.
So why not let Estonians make space safer? They already do that with cyber.
SpaceIt aims to provide near-real-time communication with satellites by connecting to various ground station networks around the globe.
This article is written by Marian Männi. This article was funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Estonian Research Council.
If this trip through space has you over the moon, don’t drift off just yet! Rocket over to our next article for more out-of-this-world insights and read more about how Estonians will start mapping the South Pole of the Moon!
