The Convergence of Space and Cyberspace as Operational Domains in the Light of the Russian–Ukrainian War

doi: 10.32567/hm.2025.2.6

Abstract

The increasing integration of space and cyberspace has led to significant cybersecurity challenges for both governmental and commercial actors. This study systematically analyses 47 academic publications to identify the key thematic clusters in space cybersecurity research. Through text-based clustering, six distinct research domains emerge: (1) cybersecurity governance and strategy, (2) legal and regulatory frameworks, (3) space as a theater of war, (4) cybersecurity lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, (5) private sector involvement in space cybersecurity, and (6) technical cyber threats and resilience. The analysis highlights that while international research on space cybersecurity is growing, there is a notable absence of Hungarian-language academic publications on this topic. However, given the declared ambitions of Hungary and some Hungarian companies in space technology, domestic research on this topic is justified. The study contributes to bridging this gap by providing a structured overview of space cybersecurity research trends and identifying key areas for future investigations.

Keywords:

space cybersecurity Russia-Ukraine war cyber operations cyber resilience

How to Cite

Krasznay, C. (2026). The Convergence of Space and Cyberspace as Operational Domains in the Light of the Russian–Ukrainian War. Military Engineer, 20(2), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.32567/hm.2025.2.6

References

ABELS, Joscha (2024): Private Infrastructure in Geopolitical Conflicts: The Case of Starlink and the War in Ukraine. European Journal of International Relations, 30(4), 842–866. Online: https://doi.org/10.1177/13540661241260653

AVIV, Itzhak – FERRI, Uri (2023): Russian-Ukraine Armed Conflict: Lessons Learned on the Digital Ecosystem. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 43, 100637. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcip.2023.100637

BACE, Brianna – GÖKCE, Yasir – TATAR, Unal (2024): Law in Orbit: International Legal Perspectives on Cyberattacks Targeting Space Systems. Telecommunications Policy, 48(4), 102739. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2024.102739

BOSCHETTI, Nicolò – GORDON, Nathaniel G. – FALCO, Gregory (2022): Space Cybersecurity Lessons Learned from the ViaSat Cyberattack. ASCEND 2022. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Online: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-4380

BOTEZATU, Ulpia-Elena – VEVERA, Adrian-Victor (2024): Cyber Orbits: The Digital Revolution of Space Security. In BURT, Sally: National Security in the Digital and Information Age. IntechOpen. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1005235

CARLO, Antonio – OBERGFAELL, Kim (2024): Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructures and Satellite Communications. International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 46, 100701. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcip.2024.100701

CESARI, Laetitia (2023): Commercial Space Operators on the Digital Battlefield. HAL Open Science. Online: https://hal.science/hal-04491357/document

European Space Policy Institute (2023): ESPI+ Report. Space, Cyber and Defence: Navigating Interdisciplinary Challenges. Vienna: ESPI. Online: https://www.espi.or.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ESPI-Report_-Space-Cyber-and-Defence-Navigating-Interdisciplinary-Challenges.pdf

K, Natarajan – VERMA, Srikar – KUMAR, Dheeraj (2025): Enhanced Interpretation of Novel Datasets by Summarizing Clustering Results Using Deep-Learning Based Linguistic Models. Applied Intelligence, 55, 317. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10489-025-06250-6

KOLOVOS, Alexandros K. (2022): Commercial Satellites in Crisis and War: The Case of the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict. Online: https://kolydas.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CommercialSatellitesincrisisandwar.pdf

KULESZA, Joanna – AKCALI GUR, Berna (2023): Developing a Cybersecurity Policy for Low Earth Orbit Satellite Broadband – an International Law Perspective. Online: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4424148

O’MEARA, Chris (2024): Anti-Satellite Weapons and Self-Defence: Law and Limitations. In KWAN, Claire et al.: CyCon 2024: Over the Horizon. 16th International Conference on Cyber Conflict. Tallinn: NATO CCDCOE, 249–262. Online: https://doi.org/10.23919/CyCon62501.2024.10685637

PEPERKAMP, Lonneke – BOLDER, Patrick (2024): The Space Domain and the Russia-Ukraine War. In ROTHMAN, Maarten – PEPERKAMP, Lonneke – RIETJENS, Sebastiaan: Reflections on the Russia-Ukraine War. Leiden: Leiden University Press, 257–273. Online: https://doi.org/10.24415/9789400604742-014

POIRIER, Clémence (2024a): Understanding Cybersecurity in Outer Space. CSS Analyses in Security Policy, 343, 1–4. Online: https://doi.org/10.3929/ETHZ-B-000675292

POIRIER, Clémence (2024b): Hacking the Cosmos: Cyber Operations Against the Space Sector. A Case Study From the War in Ukraine. CSS Cyberdefense Reports. Online: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000697348

PRAŽÁK, Jakub (2022): On the Threshold of Space Warfare. Astropolitics, 20(2–3), 175–191. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2022.2142351

RAY, Kaushik – SELVAMURTHY, William (2023): Starlink’s Role in Ukraine. Portent of a Space War? Journal of Defence Studies, 17(1), 25–44. Online: https://www.idsa.in/publisher/journal-of-defence-studies/starlinks-role-in-ukraine-portent-of-a-space-war/

SEGATE, Riccardo Vecellio (2024): Drafting a Cybersecurity Standard for Outer Space Missions: On Critical Infrastructure, China, and the Indispensability of a Global Inclusive Approach. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 11(3), 345–375. Online: https://doi.org/10.1177/23477970241261432

SHAHZAD, Syed et al. (2024): Cyber Resilience Limitations in Space Systems Design Process: Insights from Space Designers. Systems, 12(10), 434. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12100434

TEPPER, Eytan et al. (2023): The Sixth Warfighting Domain? Governing The Space-Cyber Nexus. Georgia Law Review, 59. Online: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4791739

VARADHARAJAN, Vijay – SURI Neeraj (2024): Security Challenges When Space Merges With Cyberspace. Space Policy, 67, 101600. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2023.101600