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Hack-A-Sat 4 Finals Overview

In this episode of Redefining CyberSecurity we discuss the history and evolution of the Hack-A-Sat program and the Moonlighter CTF challenge, which aims to bridge the gap between the cybersecurity and aerospace communities and showcase the capabilities of extreme programming and hacking to secure space systems.

Link to the podcast: Moonlighter: A CTF Challenge in Space | Hack-a-Sat 4 and the State of Space Cybersecurity

Right now there are thousands of satellites orbiting above our heads performing crucial tasks. At the end of the day, they’re just computers running software – albeit at thousands of miles up and thousands of miles per hour. Can they be hacked? What are the dangers? Aaron Myrick and the Hack-A-Sat team are trying to answer those questions. And they’re doing it by launching an actual satellite into low earth orbit for this year’s DEF CON hacking contest and asking talented hackers from around the world to take their best shot.

Link to the podcast: Hacking in Space

Moonlighter is the world’s first and only hacking sandbox in space. Currently orbiting the earth near the International Space Station, the satellite is the playground for this year’s Hack-A-Sat 4 competition at DEF CON 31. Mike Walker, from Cromulence, discusses the difference between hacking a live satellite in orbit vs the previous Hack-A-Sat CTFs which only simulated the experience. We discuss limited contact windows, latency, and other aspects of orbital mechanics which will surely influence how Hack-a-Sat 4 will be played.

Link to the podcast: https://errorcode.podbean.com/e/ep-18-hacking-moonlighter/

SpaceX to launch from both US coasts in one day. US Space Force GPS ground system overhaul delayed. US House Republicans have proposed a bill to make the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration an independent agency. Capella Space has been awarded a 5-year blanket purchase agreement with NASA‘s Earth Science Division, and more.

Link to the podcast: https://space.n2k.com/podcasts/t-minus/50

What if DEF CON CTFs were televised? What if you could see their screens and have interviews with the players in the moment? You can.

Jordan Wiens, from Vector 35, maker of Binary Ninja, is no stranger to CTFs. He’s played in ten final DEF CON CTFs, was a part of DARPA’s Cyber Grand Challenge, and recently he’s moderated the live broadcast of the annual Hack-A-Sat competition. So if anyone can pull off turning CTFs into an eSport, it’s probably Jordan.

Link to the podcast: The Hacker Mind Podcast: The Hacker Revolution Will Be Televised – Security Boulevard