Space Under Pressure: How Geopolitics Shapes the Final Frontier

When we look up at satellites streaking across the night sky, it’s easy to imagine them as untouchable, far removed from the turbulence of our planet. But the reality is very different. Every satellite depends on Earth-bound systems - factories producing components, launch sites, ground stations, and international trade routes - that are all deeply vulnerable to geopolitics. As the space sector grows into one of the pillars of modern society, the risks it faces from global politics are growing as well. Understanding how to anticipate, prepare for, and manage these risks has become essential for anyone invested in the future of space.

Politics Beyond the Atmosphere

Space has always been political, but today the level of competition is sharper than ever. Major powers are investing heavily in orbital infrastructure, not only to advance scientific goals but also to secure military and strategic advantages. Anti-satellite weapon tests have already proven that satellites can be destroyed, leaving behind clouds of debris that threaten the safety of every spacecraft in orbit. These demonstrations are more than technological exercises; they are signals of intent.

The race for what some call “space dominance” mirrors earlier arms races on Earth. Nations see control over satellites as control over intelligence, navigation, and communication. This reality is not limited to governments. Private companies find themselves entangled in these dynamics even when they want to remain neutral. Export restrictions can suddenly block the delivery of essential components, while sanctions may prevent partnerships with international collaborators. A company that sources parts from one country and sells services in another may discover overnight that it has stepped into a geopolitical fault line.

Supply Chains Anchored to Earth

Behind every satellite launch lies one of the most complicated supply chains in existence. A single spacecraft may incorporate sensors built in Europe, processors manufactured in East Asia, rare earth elements mined in Africa, and assembly lines based in North America. These components must all come together on time and with perfect precision. If even one link fails, the entire project can be delayed or derailed.

The reliance on rare earth materials and advanced semiconductors is especially fragile. Production of these resources is concentrated in only a handful of countries, which means geopolitical disputes in one region can send shockwaves through the entire space industry. A trade war, an embargo, or instability along key shipping routes can postpone missions for years. The satellites may orbit high above Earth, but their vulnerabilities remain firmly rooted in the political realities below.

Satellites Under Threat

Even once satellites are in orbit, their safety is far from guaranteed. They have become integral to modern life, supporting everything from GPS navigation and global internet services to climate monitoring, disaster relief, and secure military communication. This central role makes them valuable, but it also makes them prime targets. Cyberattacks can infiltrate ground systems and disrupt signals. Jamming technology can block communication across entire regions. In more aggressive scenarios, satellites can be disabled through physical or co-orbital methods. Recent conflicts have highlighted how decisive these assets can be. In Ukraine, for example, commercial satellite networks provided communication when traditional infrastructure was disrupted. Their importance also made them high-profile targets for interference, showing how space technology has become a strategic factor in modern warfare.

Building Resilience and Managing Risk

The complexity of these risks demands equally complex solutions. Diversifying supply chains is one of the most immediate steps. By spreading manufacturing and sourcing across multiple regions, companies and governments can reduce the likelihood that a single political event will halt operations. Cybersecurity must also evolve to meet the sophistication of modern threats. Protecting satellites in orbit is only part of the challenge; ground stations and the digital networks that connect them must be defended with equal intensity.

Redundancy provides another layer of protection. Instead of relying on a few massive satellites, companies are increasingly deploying constellations of smaller ones. This design ensures that if one satellite is disrupted, the overall network can continue to function. On the international stage, agreements and cooperative frameworks remain fragile but essential. Treaties and norms that discourage hostile actions in orbit can help build trust, even if they are difficult to enforce. Finally, scenario planning gives organizations the ability to adapt quickly when political tensions flare, ensuring that they are not caught off guard by sudden shifts in the global landscape.

Space is now a shared infrastructure that underpins the global economy. Satellites connect financial markets, guide international shipping, and provide weather forecasts that keep agriculture secure. They support humanitarian responses to disasters and serve as the backbone of modern defense. Without them, societies would face sudden and severe disruptions. That importance also makes space attractive to those who would seek to exploit it. States may use satellites as leverage in negotiations, while non-state actors may target them to create instability. Geopolitical risk management in space is therefore not only about protecting hardware. It is about safeguarding the systems that sustain daily life for billions of people.

As the stakes rise, the question is no longer whether space needs protection, but how quickly and effectively the global community can provide it. Space has become part of the nervous system of Earth. To safeguard it is to safeguard ourselves.

Yours truly,

Contributing writer - Riyam Ojaimi

Founder & CEO, Executive Team

Sources:

Interos. “What Satellites Reveal About Concentration Risk in Multi-Tier Supply Chains.” Interos Blog. https://www.interos.ai/blog/blog-what-satellites-reveal-about-concentration-risk-in-multi-tier-supply-chains/

European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). “From Cyber to Outer Space: A Guide to Securing Commercial Satellite Operations.” ENISA Newsroom. https://www.enisa.europa.eu/news/from-cyber-to-outer-space-a-guide-to-securing-commercial-satellite-operations