We have definitely heard of hacks before. Previously we have seen corporate websites being hacked and more shockingly even military websites suffering the same fate. If you thought that was how worse hacking could get, wait until you hear this report from Bloomberg.
NASA, the US space agency has confirmed that two of their earth mapping satellites Landstat-7 and Terra AM-1 were hacked and the hackers even had gained full control on the Terra AM-1. NASA conceded this fact in the Congressional advisory panel on the Chinese-US relations. The Chinese Military was suspected to be behind this act, though NASA has not confirmed the same.
The Landstat-7 and the Terra AM-1 are commercially controlled and operated by Svalbard Satellite Station in Spitsbergen, Norway. The station routinely relies on the internet to get important data and files transferred. The hackers apparently used this internet connection to get access to the ground station’s information systems.
As per the congressional report, the two satellites were interfered with four times in 2007 & 2008 for a total duration of up to 12 minutes on the Landstat-7 and more than two minutes on the Terra AM-1. The hackers apparently had Chinese language skills and connections with Chinese underground hacking community. Though, this does not prove any affiliation with the Chinese military. Chinese officials have consistently denied any role in the hackings.
This hacking incident possibly highlights how susceptible technology (especially the internet) can be and is an indication as to how damaging an effect can ‘hacking’ cause, if it falls into the wrong hands.
