Wow! eBook
The Spacecraft Hacker's Handbook: Exploiting Ground Stations, Flight Software, and Satellite Terminals
Author(s): Andrzej Olchawa (Author), Milenko Starcik (Author)
- Publisher: No Starch Press
- Publication Date: November 3, 2026
- Language: English
- Print length: 344 pages
- ISBN-10: 1718504748
- ISBN-13: 9781718504745
Book Description
Can you really hack a spacecraft? Yes, but probably not the way you think.
Satellites rarely fall out of the sky, and this book won’t tell you how to make them crash. But vulnerabilities can expose sensitive data, disrupt communications, manipulate onboard systems, and even allow attackers to take control of mission operations.
The Spacecraft Hacker’s Handbook takes you inside the hidden world of spacecraft cybersecurity. Through hands-on labs, you’ll write working exploits and uncover vulnerabilities in flight software. From NASA flight software and CCSDS protocols to SATCOM terminals and GNSS attacks, you’ll gain practical experience with the technologies that power modern space missions.Learn how to:
- Work with mission control software, including Yamcs and OpenC3 COSMOS
- Explore NASA’s F′ and core Flight System (cFS)
- Analyze CCSDS spacecraft communications
- Reproduce actual space cyberattacks in a safe environment
- Discover, validate, and responsibly disclose new vulnerabilities
Whether you’re a security researcher, aerospace engineer, student, or simply fascinated by the systems orbiting overhead, you’ll gain the practical skills to understand, evaluate, and improve the security of modern spacecraft.
Requirements
- Windows, macOS, or Linux
- Docker and a virtualization platform
- Basic ability to read source code in Python, Java, and C
- No specialized radio or satellite hardware required
Editorial Reviews
Review
—Scott Manley, YouTuber
“I highly recommend
The Spacecraft Hacker’s Handbook to anyone interested in understanding how today’s space infrastructure really works.”—Col Marcin Mazur, vice-president, Polish Space Agency
“This book is a mandatory read for space security professionals and an essential read for spacecraft operators involved in all mission phases.”
“The subject could easily become overwhelming, but the authors break it down in a way that’s clear, thorough, and surprisingly entertaining.”
“With its high-level overviews, low-level protocols, and hands-on sections, this book has everything you need to launch into spacecraft hacking.”
“A timely, approachable, and hands-on guide to the rapidly evolving field of space cybersecurity.”
“Making one of security’s most specialized domains practical and approachable without sacrificing technical depth.”
“With this book, you can go from basically no space experience at all to writing exploits against space control systems and protocols.”
“I highly recommend it to any security researcher in the field ...”
“Delivers a practical, hands-on introduction to space system security.”
“This book covers one of the most important issues of our time.”
“Thorough, highly technical, and packed with practical insight, it’s an outstanding starting point and a valuable long-term reference for offensive security professionals.”
“
The Spacecraft Hacker’s Handbook demystifies space security better than any other introduction I have encountered.”—Adam “pi3” Zabrocki, creator of LKRG, Phrack author, and co-designer of RISC-V security extensions
