As conflicts on Earth intensify, space is rapidly becoming the newest frontier in the fight for global dominance. From hijacked satellites to the development of space-based weapons, experts warn that the risks of militarisation beyond Earth are growing at an unprecedented pace.

The issue came into sharp focus earlier this year when hackers supportive of Moscow hijacked a satellite that broadcasts television signals to Ukraine. Instead of regular programming, Ukrainian viewers were shown live coverage of Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, complete with tanks, soldiers, and weapons. The move, analysts say, was a deliberate attempt to intimidate and a stark reminder that warfare now extends into cyberspace and outer space.

Satellites: A Critical Weakness
With more than 12,000 satellites currently orbiting Earth, these systems underpin everything from navigation and intelligence gathering to global communications and economic supply chains. They also serve as early-warning systems for missile launches. But their importance makes them a prime target.

Cyberattacks often exploit weaknesses not in the satellites themselves but in outdated ground-based software and communications systems. In 2022, a cyberattack on Viasat, a U.S.-based satellite provider used by Ukraine, caused widespread outages across Europe. Kyiv blamed the incident on Moscow.

“Disabling a satellite without firing a shot can deliver a devastating blow,” said Tom Pace, chief executive of cybersecurity firm NetRise.

Growing Fears of Space Weapons
U.S. officials now warn that Russia is developing a nuclear-based anti-satellite weapon capable of destroying nearly all satellites in low-Earth orbit. Such a device would violate international treaties and could cripple communications, navigation, and security systems worldwide.

Representative Mike Turner, a senior member of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, compared the potential deployment of such a weapon to the launch of Sputnik in 1957, calling it “the Cuban Missile Crisis in space.” He warned that if used, it could render parts of space unusable for at least a year.

While the weapon is not yet operational, experts fear that its very development marks a dangerous escalation in the militarisation of space.

Race to the Moon and Beyond
Beyond immediate security threats, competition is also mounting over resources in space. The Moon, believed to be rich in helium-3—a potential future fuel for nuclear fusion—has become a key focus. The United States has announced plans to deploy a small nuclear reactor on the lunar surface, while Russia and China have announced similar projects.

“This isn’t science fiction; it’s quickly becoming reality,” said Joseph Rooke, a London-based cybersecurity expert. “Whichever country dominates energy sources from space could secure economic and political dominance on Earth.”

China, however, has pushed back against accusations of fuelling an arms race. “It is the U.S. that is militarising space,” said Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington.

With satellites under threat and lunar resources in sight, the competition for dominance is shifting skyward, raising fears that the next great geopolitical conflict could be fought far above the Earth’s surface.