Researchers identified over 237 cyberattacks against space infrastructure between 2023 and 2025.
Experts warn that satellites and space communications face increasing cyber threats.
The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich gathered reports, social media posts, and cybercrime forum data to document attacks on Israeli and international space agencies.
The Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025 triggered the highest spike, with 72 cyber operations recorded in one month.
Report author Clémence Poirier stated these incidents represent nearly one-third of all attacks during the study period.
Researchers argue that cyberattacks on the space sector now mirror patterns seen in broader armed conflicts, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The study found that almost all threat actors were pro-Palestinian groups.
It notes that Hamas has no satellites or space systems, and pro-Israeli groups may have acted secretly.
Attack Methods and Target Selection
Hacktivists launched ten attacks in October 2023 after Hamas’s armed incursion on October 7.
They struck organisations including the Israel Space Agency (ISA) and the defence firm Rafael.
The report states that the escalation surprised global hacktivists, delaying their coordination and target identification.
Hacktivists attacked 77 space-related organisations during the Gaza conflict.
They focused on Rafael, Elbit Systems, and the ISA, but also targeted international agencies like NASA.
Researchers found most attacks aimed at aerospace and defence firms because of their military production, not space operations.
Over 70 percent of attacks used denial-of-service (DDoS) methods, overwhelming networks until systems crashed.
DDoS operations required minimal technical skills, acted quickly, and distracted from more sophisticated intrusions.
Hackers also executed data leaks, network intrusions, and breaches.
Some data sales or leaks coincided with key conflict events, though researchers could not always verify timing.
The study concluded that visible attacks likely underestimate the true scale of cyber activity against space systems.
Emerging Patterns and Future Risks
Israel and Iran’s 12-day conflict in June 2025 produced the largest spike with 72 cyber operations.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Iranian actors attacked Israel simultaneously during this period.
The report states that both conflicts influenced each other politically, militarily, and rhetorically, with actors operating across arenas.
Hacktivists copied techniques from other conflicts and applied them in Gaza.
A 2023 DDoS attack by the Cyber Army of Palestine on ISA reused code similar to that of Ukraine’s IT Army.
Most attacks caused limited physical or operational damage, but activity patterns highlight future space-focused cyber warfare.
The study emphasizes that cyberattacks now form consistent components of modern conflicts due to hacktivists’ interest in space industry targets.
Researchers call for space-focused cyber strategies to protect satellites, communications, and other infrastructure from future assaults.
