Globalstar plans to launch 17 more satellites to bolster their current infrastructure for direct to cell phone connectivity. Interesting dynamics between space giants has been occurring since the announcement. SpaceX is currently under contract to launch all 17 satellites for Globalstar, however, SpaceX is against them launching.
The FCC has granted approval for the 17 satellite expansion and throughout that process, SpaceX protested. SpaceX is currently rolling out their Direct to Cell broadband connectivity which currently under threat by Globalstars expansion.
Both companies will be under threat by a multitude of threat actors. Direct to Cell connectivity is a brand new technology that has not entirely addressed cybersecurity concerns. SpaceX for example is partnering with terrestrial cell phone service provides such as T-Mobile to deliver the “last mile” of data transfer between a Starlink payload and a users cell phone.
Attackers can target both constellations through breaching ground stations, partner cellphone providers, or the satellites themselves. These technologies are being developed with such pace that one may question whether they are slowing down enough to implement proper security measures.
The implications of not providing security measures opens up millions of cell phones to malware that can be directly transmitted to their device. Once the cellphone is reached, the attack surface expands dramatically as so much of an individuals life is contained on that singular device.
In SpaceX’s case as well as Globalstars’, cybersecurity must be taken into account or their credibility could be threatened by a single attack. However, one may have little hope for their desire to do so as the monetary gain by beating the competitor is too large.