The European Space Agency (ESA) has initiated a two-year project aimed at establishing a Space Cyber Range, supported by an investment exceeding €2.5 million from its Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) strategic program line. The contract was signed on January 23 in Tallinn by ESA's Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, Laurent Jaffart, and Silver Lodi, a Management Board Member of Spaceit.
This initiative is a response to the significant increase in cyberattacks over the past five years, particularly affecting critical sectors reliant on satellite connectivity, including energy grids and emergency services. Jaffart emphasized Estonia's leadership in cybersecurity as a key factor in selecting the location for the project, which aims to enhance cybersecurity knowledge across the sector and secure Europe’s digital future.
Christophe Allemand, ESA's Head of Space Systems for Safety and Security, noted that the cyber range will provide essential infrastructure for the space sector, allowing companies to conduct security exercises, validate satellite systems prior to launch, and develop expertise necessary to safeguard their assets.
Silver Lodi remarked on the opportunity to unite various companies in this vital project, expressing a commitment to engage more international organizations as the industry continues to grow. The initiative aims to ensure the resilience of space infrastructure against a variety of threats through rigorous testing and personnel education.