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SECURE YOUR SPOT

CYBER THREATS ALONG THE LIFECYCLE OF A SATELLITE

February 5th 2026, 01:30 PM

Singapore

Workshop Synopsis:

Step Into the Realities of Modern Space Operations

For the past thirty years, space has been far more than a frontier for exploration: it has become a strategic domain, deeply embedded in armed conflicts and critical to global economic stability.
But it was in 2014 that many nations woke up to a simple truth: without space capabilities, defeat is guaranteed.

Then in 2022, Starlink’s decisive role in the war in Ukraine sent an even clearer message: space power now shapes the outcome of terrestrial conflicts.

Today, major companies are building their space strategies, governments are accelerating investments, and private actors are reshaping the industry.
Space is no longer reserved for engineers and enthusiasts, it concerns everyone: military leaders, policymakers, executives, and decision-makers.

The swiss-based company HelvetiSpace was born from this exact reality: the urgent need for rigorous, operational, and accessible knowledge to make informed decisions in a domain that shapes global security and economic resilience.



HelvetiSpace : A unique expertise, where science meets military operations

In most countries, armed forces rely on external scientific specialists to develop solutions.
In Switzerland, thanks to the militia system, the military is the expert community.

HelvetiSpace was founded by Jonathan Magnin who embodies both worlds: a PhD scientist and
is a commander within the Swiss Space Command

This dual competence enables a rare combination: cutting-edge technical knowledge, an in-depth understanding of military realities, and the ability to translate complex space concepts into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers.

In this context, we are happy to introduce the first training session on the  “Lifecycle of a Satellite” and understand a space mission from end to end.

This renowned training is widely appreciated in both the private sector and public institutions.



Participants will explore:

– All stages of a satellite’s life, from development to end-of-life
– Foundational concepts such as delta-V and link budget, essential to understanding mission performance
– The physical constraints that define a satellite’s capabilities
– Typical scenarios and challenges encountered across space systems
– And exclusively for CYSAT Asia: the cyber threats impacting each phase of a satellite’s lifecycle

Instructor:

Jonathan Magnin:

Jonathan Magnin, CEO and co-founder of HelvetiSpace, obtained his master’s degree in electrical engineering specialized in space technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). He currently pursues a Ph.D. in the same institute on the topic of space electronic reconnaissance and signal intelligence. As a reserve officer of the Swiss Armed Forces Space Command, he holds the rank of First Lieutenant (NATO OF-2) and lead the development of the SSA/SDA software of the Space Command where he will assume command of a company in 2026. His multidisciplinary background allying operational and academic experience lead him to create HelvetiSpace to provide sharp and precise knowledge to decision makers about space in both technical and operational aspects.

How to hack a satellite

5th of February 2026, 13:30 PM – 16:30 PM

Singapore

Workshop Synopsis:

Do you remember 2023, when, for the first time in history, a team successfully hacked an in-orbit satellite?

This groundbreaking challenge was launched by CYSAT, with the support of the European Space Agency, inviting cybersecurity experts to remotely break into a live satellite from Earth.

And the team that succeeded? A group of brilliant cybersecurity engineers from Thales.
Once inside the system, they were able to alter the satellite’s imagery, hide geographic areas, and demonstrate how attackers could potentially disrupt missions or even compromise control of the satellite.

This milestone proved one thing: space systems need stronger protection, and it must start at the design stage.
As the Thales team put it, “To defend a satellite, you first need to understand how it can be attacked.”

So… what if YOU were the next person to uncover these hidden vulnerabilities?

That’s exactly the spirit of this training session.

For the first time in Singapore, Christophe Duvernois from the Thales team will run a hands-on training session directly inspired by their real-life hacking experience.

Over the course of three hours, you will learn how to think like an attacker, defend like an expert, and understand cybersecurity at the full system level, from orbit to ground.

Indeed, maintaining cybersecurity on operational satellites over many years requires a deep understanding of the entire system, across both space and ground segments. Defenders must anticipate a wide range of threats through activities such as intrusion detection, third-party software management, data-flow monitoring, penetration testing, and more.

The CYSAT Academy 2026 course will train you to secure satellites at the system level, anticipate attacks through a dedicated satellite-hacking workshop, and correct operational vulnerabilities in both onboard and ground infrastructures.

Instructors:

Christophe Duvernois – Cybersecurity Evaluator at ITSEF:
Christophe Duvernois is a Cybersecurity Evaluator and Embedded Systems Engineer with extensive expertise in processor emulation. With over a decade of experience in on-board space system simulation at Airbus Defence and Space, he joined Thales ITSEF in 2021. His work focuses on assessing vulnerabilities in embedded software, particularly hypervisors, and developing advanced tools to facilitate vulnerability discovery.

ESA-Oxford Training on Secure Space Communication Systems

8th –11th of  July 2025

England, University of Oxford

Overview:

Secure space communication systems are a cornerstone of critical infrastructures, playing a vital role in ensuring global connectivity, economic stability and geopolitical resilience. With the increasing need for reliable space-based assets, understanding the principles and practices of secure communication systems has never been more crucial.

This course, held in collaboration with leading experts from the European Space Agency (ESA), industry and academia, provides a comprehensive introduction to secure satellite communication systems. Participants will explore geopolitical and strategic contexts, gain insights into the fundamentals of secure communication architectures, and examine threat landscapes, risk assessment methodologies and cybersecurity challenges. 

Key topics include advanced technical perspectives on COMSEC, TRANSEC and CRYPTOSEC; an analysis of vulnerabilities across user, space and ground segments; and cutting-edge technological trends like quantum key distribution (QKD), optical communications, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Real-world case studies and examples will enrich the learning experience, ensuring participants leave with actionable knowledge. 

This course supports Europe’s vision of achieving strategic autonomy and resilience in space communications, equipping professionals with the tools to navigate this rapidly evolving field. Ideal for policymakers, industry specialists and researchers, this training is an opportunity to build expertise and networks at the forefront of secure communications innovation.

Program Details:

he course will feature contributions from esteemed ESA, industry experts and academics, delivering lectures and participating in discussions on a range of critical topics, including: 

  • Geopolitical and strategic contexts

  • Fundamentals of secure space communication systems

  • Threat landscapes, security risk assessment methodologies and cybersecurity challenges 

  • Advanced technical insights into COMSEC (CRYPTOSEC and TRANSEC)

  • Security challenges across User, Space and Ground Segments in modern SATCOM systems, with relevant technology developments

  • Novel technological trends related to secure systems (e.g., optical communications, QKD, AI, and machine learning)

 

Course timetable:

Day 1: Tuesday 8 July (09:15 – 17:30)

  • Course Overview, Objectives and Introductory Sessions 

Day 2: Wednesday 9 July (08:30 – 18:00)

  • Fundamentals of Space Communications and Importance of Space Security

Day 3: Thursday 10 July (09:00 – 18:30)

  • Security Risk Management in Space Systems, COMSEC, and Threat Landscape in Space Systems
  • Gala dinner at St Edmund Hall

Day 4:  Friday 11 July (08:30 – 18:00)

  • Cyber Security in Space Communications, Secure User Segment, Secure Ground Segment, Secure Space Segment, Novel Trends and Technologies, and Conclusion

Certification:

In order to be eligible for a certificate of attendance, you will need to attend the whole course. Participants who meet this criterion will be emailed after the end of the course with a link, and instructions on how to access their University of Oxford digital certificate. 

The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate, as well as share it on social media if you choose to do so.