Breaking Defense
• Theresa Hitchens
Lt. Col. Rick Zellman, deputy commander of US Space Command, identified directed-energy weapons, cyberattacks and strikes on communications hubs as potential means of disabling large satellite constellations. His remarks underscore both the vulnerability of space-based networks and the emerging military interest in laser systems.
Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)
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Lt. Col. Rick Zellman, deputy commander of US Space Command, identified directed-energy weapons, cyberattacks and strikes on communications hubs as potential means of disabling large satellite constellations. His remarks underscore both the vulnerability of space-based networks and the emerging military interest in laser systems.
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Delta is investigating an unauthorized wireless network reportedly broadcast as “Delta WiFi Fast” aboard flight DL591 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on Aug. 10, after the city hosted DEF CON. The airline said the incident did not involve a hack of aircraft systems, according to the reports.
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Joby Aviation will acquire Ohio-based defense technology company Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million, expanding beyond its commercial eVTOL program. Resonant’s radio-frequency, sensing, mission-system and stealth capabilities will form Joby’s dedicated defense business, which is expected to be established following the deal’s anticipated 2027 closing.
Resecurity has become the latest cybersecurity company to join Space ISAC. The firm provides cyber threat intelligence and digital risk protection, expanding Space ISAC’s membership footprint for securing space-related organizations and ecosystems.
United Airlines has filed a USD 5 million lawsuit against Homesite Insurance, alleging Homesite—one of eight insurers in UA’s cyber insurance programme—is refusing payment for losses tied to the July 2024 CrowdStrike outage. The suit follows a rejected expected payout and seeks coverage for disruption impacts.
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ESA has tapped Aalyria for a solar-system network-operations center and commissioned an optical ground station in Luxembourg aimed at ultra-secure, quantum-enabled satellite communications. SES will route station data via its O3b mPOWER network ahead of Starlab. Italy’s PRISMA Second Generation hyperspectral mission is moving toward a 2031 launch with Thales Alenia Space and OHB Italia.
Bluebox is shifting its Blueview software suite to a cloud offering—Blueview Cloud—aimed at improving ROI for connected aircraft. The platform routes an airline’s branded portal and digital services through IFC, positioning in-flight connectivity as a channel for customer-facing applications.
United Airlines is in a federal insurance dispute over business-interruption losses tied to the July 2024 CrowdStrike outage. After the incident led to 1,600 cancellations, thousands of delays, and about 200,000 stranded passengers, United alleges Homesite should pay; the insurer is seeking a court ruling that it owes nothing. Total losses are cited at nearly $114 million.
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