Satellite Hacking w/ Frank Pound

Hundreds of inexpensive satellites are now regularly launched into space through SpaceX’s Smallsat Rideshare program. Some are sophisticated and commercial, others are DIY and experimental. They share space with now over 3,000 other artificial satellites orbiting the Earth. What could possibly go wrong?

Frank Pound joins Jack and Dave for a conversation to answer the question of just how hackproof satellites really are and why it matters, starting with the Hack-a-Sat competition. Hack-a-Sat is an intensive capture the flag style competition currently in its second year where teams square off against one another to break into and defend satellite tech. And along the way, we learn that doing so requires encounters with strange software, hardware and not a small amount of hard math.

The most known, visible satellite hack dates back to the 1980s and involves a broadcast takeover around Thanksgiving from a Max Headroom mask wearing man which ended in a spanking, but no real harm done. Jack and Dave explore the attack surface of satellites with Frank to find out when the next attack happens, where it’s likely to be. And along the way, we discover the Hubble Telescope’s terrible secret: ancient Javascript in its belly that’s likely kept on life support by some unfortunate government contractor.

Throughout the hour-long conversation with Frank, one gets the impression that we’re still in the early days of satellite hacking. However, the breakneck pace of satellites being launched and their considerable potential vulnerability to cyber attacks point in the direction of a lot more than simply Max Headroom interruptions and GPS whoopsies in the future.