Podcast Summary: Click Here – Episode 179: "Mic Drop: Guardians of the Galaxy are sitting in Colorado Springs"

Release Date: November 1, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 179 of Click Here, hosted by Dina Temple-Raston from Recorded Future News, listeners are taken on an insightful journey to Colorado Springs to explore the critical role of the Space Watch Center. This episode delves into the increasing significance of space weather, the vulnerabilities of our digital infrastructure, and how adversaries are poised to exploit cosmic events for malicious purposes.

1. The Rising Importance of Space Weather

Dina Temple-Raston opens the discussion by highlighting the transformation in the impact of space weather from the 19th century to today. “Until the 19th century, space weather didn't have much of an effect on our day-to-day lives. But now we can't ignore it because a roster of critical technologies are vulnerable to these kinds of storms,” (00:06) she explains. This shift is primarily due to our heavy reliance on technologies like the Internet and power grids, which are susceptible to disruptions from space-induced magnetic fields.

She references FEMA's 2019 report, which listed severe solar storms as a significant threat, second only to pandemics, emphasizing the growing recognition of space weather as a national security concern. “It turns out our adversaries have gotten wise to this and they take advantage,” (01:02) she notes, setting the stage for the episode's main themes.

2. Inside the Space Watch Center

The episode transports listeners to the Space Watch Center in Colorado Springs, a hub dedicated to monitoring space weather and its implications. Michael Calory, Director of Consumer Tech and Culture at Wired, joins Dina to provide an on-the-ground perspective. Upon entering the center, Calory describes it as resembling a scene from Dr. Strangelove's war room, emphasizing its seriousness and technological sophistication.

“Some days you walk in here and you could hear a pin drop because everyone's got their headphones in and you can see that they're either monitoring for something on their screen or they're writing a report,” (06:20) Calory observes, painting a picture of the intense focus and continuous vigilance required to manage space weather threats.

3. Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and Their Impact

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) and their effects on Earth. Dina articulates, “Periodic, the sun emits these explosions of particles known as coronal mass ejections, or CMEs. Basically, they're a giant release of plasma and magnetic fields that go out into space” (02:50). These CMEs can travel at tremendous speeds and carry billions of tons of material, leading to two primary effects upon reaching Earth:

1. Auroras: CMEs create stunning auroras, similar to the northern lights, visible even in regions that rarely experience them.

2. Geomagnetic Storms: These storms can disrupt power grids, damage electronics, and interfere with satellite operations. “They can damage power grids and endanger electronics. They can even cause satellites to short out or move more slowly,” (07:08) she adds.

4. Adversaries Exploiting Space Weather

A central theme of the episode is how adversaries, such as Russia and China, are increasingly seeking to exploit space weather events to their advantage. Mo Reed Levinson, Deputy Director at the Space Watch Center, emphasizes the strategic opportunities these storms present: “What we're really looking for is what are the impacts? What are the impacts to satellites? What are the impacts on the terrestrial layer. And will the adversary take advantage of it?” (04:17).

Levinson explains that adversaries might use the cover of space weather disruptions to engage in covert activities. For instance, during geomagnetic storms, satellites might experience increased drag, slowing their orbits and potentially bringing adversary satellites into close proximity. “You might see an adversary satellite, buddy up nice and close and just be within an uncomfortable distance of your satellite,” (08:23) he warns, suggesting potential for espionage or sabotage.

5. Information Sharing and the Role of Space ISAC

The Space Watch Center operates under the broader framework of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC). Dina details the collaborative nature of this organization: “The Space Watch center is part of a broader effort to get government agencies and private companies to share information. It's like a neighborhood watch for space,” (04:27). Space ISAC facilitates the sharing of threat intelligence, vulnerabilities, and incident reports among over 100 entities, including major corporations like Microsoft and Lockheed Martin, universities, and even foreign space agencies.

Michael Calory adds, “What we're looking at more space weather visualization,” (06:53) highlighting the center's capacity to aggregate and analyze vast amounts of data. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of space weather impacts and enhances the resilience of space assets against potential attacks.

6. The Cyber Dimension of Space Weather Threats

The episode also explores the intersection of space weather and cybersecurity. Dina draws parallels between how space weather can mask adversarial activities and how cyberattacks exploit similar distractions. “Adversaries strike during a long weekend or when the office is closed in hopes the skeleton crew there to monitor things over the holiday might be too busy to notice some unusual behavior in a network,” (09:22) she explains. Similarly, during space weather events, attackers may pursue cyber intrusions, knowing that the primary focus is diverted.

Levinson reinforces this point: “There are other things, more on the cyber side of things, where an adversary might look to get into your system during an event like this because they know that you're not paying attention,” (09:04). This dual strategy of physical and cyber exploitation underscores the multifaceted threats posed by adversaries in the age of space weather awareness.

7. Future Outlook: Solar Maximum and Increased Vigilance

Looking ahead, the episode discusses the impending solar maximum period, a phase in the sun's cycle marked by heightened solar activity. “According to NASA, the sun is at something called its solar maximum period. Every 11 years, the sun releases these massive explosions of light energy and solar radiation and its magnetic poles flip,” (10:37) Dina notes. This period is expected to bring more frequent and intense space weather events, necessitating heightened vigilance from the Space Watch Center and its collaborators.

Levinson optimistically states, “The more information that we get and we digest into the Watch center, not only will we become more and more aware of these, but I think as the attacks increase, we're going to have our finger on that pulse,” (10:25). This proactive stance aims to bolster the resilience of critical infrastructure against both natural and adversarial threats.

Conclusion

Episode 179 of Click Here offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex interplay between space weather, cybersecurity, and national security. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, Dina Temple-Raston and her guests illuminate the critical importance of monitoring space weather and fostering collaborative information-sharing frameworks to mitigate emerging threats. As solar activity intensifies, the vigilance and preparedness of institutions like the Space Watch Center will be paramount in safeguarding our digital and physical infrastructures.

Notable Quotes:

• “Until the 19th century, space weather didn't have much of an effect on our day-to-day lives. But now we can't ignore it because a roster of critical technologies are vulnerable to these kinds of storms,” — Dina Temple-Raston (00:06)

• “You might not realize that what you're seeing is actually adversary activity because it's being shielded by a space weather event,” — Michael Calory (01:50)

• “What we're really looking for is what are the impacts? What are the impacts to satellites? What are the impacts on the terrestrial layer. And will the adversary take advantage of it?” — Mo Reed Levinson (04:17)

• “Some days you walk in here and you could hear a pin drop because everyone's got their headphones in and you can see that they're either monitoring for something on their screen or they're writing a report,” — Michael Calory (06:20)

• “There are other things, more on the cyber side of things, where an adversary might look to get into your system during an event like this because they know that you're not paying attention,” — Mo Reed Levinson (09:04)

• “The more information that we get and we digest into the Watch center, not only will we become more and more aware of these, but I think as the attacks increase, we're going to have our finger on that pulse,” — Mo Reed Levinson (10:25)

Produced by Megan Dietry, Sean Powers, Jade Abdul Malik, Erica Gaida, and Dina Temple-Raston. Edited by Karen Duffin.