Estonia’s space policy chief flags soaring interest, investment in space economy driven by geopolitical tensions

Surging demand for satellite communications connectivity and Earth observation data, coupled with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and escalating international geopolitical tensions, has sparked a burgeoning interest and substantial investment in the space economy, according to Paul Liias, Estonia’s head of space policy. This interest is leading to the commercial and operational importance of cybersecurity for space-based applications, systems, and hardware.

Speaking ahead of this year’s Software Defined Space Conference (SDSC), Liias, head of space at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for Estonia, identified in an emailed statement that space-based systems and technologies play an increasingly significant role in the economy and in people’s day-to-day lives – whether it is in terms of communications, data or content services delivered via satellite: providing navigation for vehicles on land, sea or in the air: or gathering accurate scientific data for improved weather and environmental monitoring purposes.

“Over the last 12 months as well, the conflict in Ukraine has underscored the strategic importance of space-based satellites and systems – more so than was the case three or four years ago,” Liias observed. “More than ever, we have a responsibility to manage and protect these systems properly with the latest cybersecurity measures.” 

“Regulation provides legal certainty to businesses – but over-regulation can slow down innovation,” continued Liias. “The challenge with regulation is for it to be meaningful but not restrictive. The fast rate of innovation makes it difficult to predict what will happen in the next couple of years in the space economy. National governments and international bodies such as the European Union should work in partnership with the private sector to devise policies that encourage growth and guide the direction of the space industry – but which are also flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances.”

Liias also said that developers working in space cybersecurity have to manage competing priorities. “On the one hand, they must investigate, identify, and understand potential threats, and on the other, develop effective counter-measures at an affordable price point. Making space cybersecurity accessible and affordable is key. Bringing costs down will help ensure large and small players alike in the space ecosystem can put in place the necessary levels of security from cyber-attack.”

Earlier this month, the European Commission, with the support of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), launched a call for expression of interest to set up and participate in an EU Space Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC). The proposal aims to strengthen the security and resilience of the EU space sector through the EU Space ISAC by developing the awareness and capabilities of its members, including large industrial groups.

The third annual SDSC event focused on cybersecurity in the realm of space, is scheduled to be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Tallinn, Estonia. SDSC 2023 is a joint event produced by Enterprise Estonia (EAS), the Estonian Space Office, and the Republic of Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. The event will serve as a pivotal platform for technologists, scholars, and government representatives to engage in discussions surrounding recent advancements and concerns influencing the space industry, with particular emphasis on the evolving role of regulation.

The primary focus of this year’s event focuses on software development and cyber security within the realm of space technology. 

Investment bank Morgan Stanley estimates that the global space industry, currently valued at around US$350 billion, could rise in value to more than $1 trillion by 2040. 

“Our efforts to date have been on protecting critical infrastructure on the ground such as power stations, energy grids, telecoms networks, and government IT,” Liias continued. “But the growing importance of the space domain together with geopolitical events of the last few years means we’ve expanded this focus. We now want to apply our cybersecurity expertise to space-based assets – whether it’s mission control centres and ground stations here on earth or manned and unmanned spacecraft above.”

Liias pointed out that the SDSC conference has grown since the inaugural event in November 2021. “This year will feature more keynote speakers and more panel discussions, and also a new series of interactive workshops. Previous events have lacked examples of real-world space-based activities for our audience to learn about and participate in. With the new workshop sessions, we’re fixing this.”

“Each workshop is dedicated to a particular topic – for example, how space law and space traffic management can work together: how to navigate the US space regulatory system for EU-based companies that want to enter the US market: and how to draft national legislation for space governing, which will draw on my organisation’s [Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications] drafting of Estonian National Space Law,” according to Liias. “Our audience will leave the conference with new knowledge and insights drawn from the practical experience of others that will help them with their own space projects.”

Liias concluded, “As the ecosystem of the space economy expands with new technologies and new opportunities, we should regard cybersecurity as an operational and commercial priority that is the foundation for all space-based activity.”

Anna Ribeiro

Industrial Cyber News Editor. Anna Ribeiro is a freelance journalist with over 14 years of experience in the areas of security, data storage, virtualization and IoT.