How dual-use satellites are blurring the lines of modern space war

There is a critical shift in the nature of modern warfare. The dual-use satellites power civilian life, but at the same time are increasingly becoming instruments of covert warfare. There is growing weaponisation of civilian space infrastructure without physical destruction . Unlike earlier conceptions of space war involving kinetic attacks , recent developments show a shift toward cyber-attacks, signal jamming, and spoofing , as seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict (2022) where the Viasat KA-SAT network was disrupted , crippling communications across Europe. This marks a paradigm shift, from visible destruction to invisible disruption.

Space warfare is evolving into a domain defined by invisible disruption, legal ambiguity, and systemic risk. The fusion of civilian and military systems creates vulnerabilities that extend beyond conflict zones into everyday life. Strengthening legal clarity, attribution capacity, and enforceable norms remains essential for maintaining stability in the space domain.

[UPSC 2022] What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.

Linkage: The PYQ directly relates to cyber threats in critical infrastructure, now extended to space-based systems like satellites. It highlights gaps in attribution, deterrence, and regulatory frameworks, which are central to dual-use satellite warfare.