Two Chinese hackers have been indicted by the Department of Justice with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions, as well as other charges, which may be used to develop Chinese space technology.
The unsealing of the indictment on Dec. 20 listed companies from which Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong stole information, including companies involved with aviation, space and/or satellite technology, and NASA, the only company specifically named.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may have been using cyber theft as well as investment to acquire U.S.-made space technology.
Hacking western countries for intelligence acquisition has been an ongoing tactic employed by the CCP, despite its previous promises to stop this behavior.
“The PLA continues to strengthen its military space capabilities despite its public stance against the militarization of space,” the report said. “China is developing multiple counterspace capabilities to degrade and deny adversary use of space-based assets during a crisis or conflict.”
The theft of this technology is likely driven by the CCP’s wish to establish itself as a dominant force in space.
“China also continues to develop counterspace capabilities, including kinetic-kill missiles, ground-based lasers, and orbiting space robots, as well as to expand space surveillance capabilities that can monitor objects across the globe and in space and enable counterspace actions,” the report continued.
Boeing cancelled satellite orders with a company that received large investments from a China-based company on Dec. 6 after a report detailing the investments was released.