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

Release Date: July 4, 2025
Host: Dina Temple-Raston
Producer: Recorded Future News

Introduction

In the episode titled "Mic Drop: Guardians of the Galaxy are Sitting in Colorado Springs," Dina Temple-Raston delves into the critical and often unseen world of space weather and its implications on national security and cybersecurity. The episode explores how solar flares and other celestial phenomena are becoming strategic tools for adversaries in the realm of digital warfare.

The Invisible Battlefield: Space as a Digital Frontier

The podcast opens with an evocative description of the Space Watch Center in Colorado Springs, a hub where officials monitor space weather and potential threats that are invisible to the general public. Dina sets the stage by highlighting the increasing significance of space as a battleground in the age of digital warfare.

Quote:
Dina Temple-Raston (00:02): "We're inside a nondescript building. A small group of officials spend their days tracking what the rest of us can't see. Solar flares, rogue satellites, the occasional asteroid. And sometimes something a little more human."

Understanding Space Weather and Its Impacts

Dina provides a foundational understanding of space weather, emphasizing the effects of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) on Earth’s infrastructure. CMEs are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona or being released into space.

Key Points:

• Auroras and Geomagnetic Storms: CMEs can produce stunning auroras visible far from the poles and trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt power grids and communication systems.
• Technological Vulnerabilities: Critical technologies such as the Internet and power grids are susceptible to disruptions caused by space weather events.
• National Threats: In 2019, FEMA listed severe solar storms as a significant threat capable of paralyzing the nation, underscoring the urgency of addressing space weather.

Quote:
Dina Temple-Raston (03:21): "Solar flares, these waves of particles are what cause people like Mulraide to lose sleep because they can disrupt radio communications by absorbing or reflecting certain frequencies."

The Role of the Space Watch Center

The Space Watch Center in Colorado Springs serves as a pivotal element in monitoring space weather and coordinating responses to potential threats. Deputy Director Mowrad Levinson provides insight into the center’s operations and its strategic importance.

Key Points:

• Information Sharing: The center is part of the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC), which facilitates collaboration between government agencies, private companies, and international partners.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Utilizing a bank of large screens, the center continuously tracks satellites and solar activity, allowing for immediate analysis and response.
• Adversary Tactics: During space weather events, adversaries may exploit reduced visibility to conduct nefarious activities, such as manipulating satellites or launching cyberattacks.

Quotes:
Mowrad Levinson (01:47): "It's pretty accurate to say that our adversaries are ready to take advantage of any situation that is going to cause us to have less of an understanding of what's going on on orbit."
Mowrad Levinson (05:44): "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, and will the adversary take advantage of it?"

The Interplay Between Solar Storms and Cybersecurity

Dina and Mowrad explore the intersection of space weather and cybersecurity, illustrating how solar storms can create vulnerabilities that adversaries might exploit. The timing of such events can coincide with cyberattacks, amplifying their impact.

Key Points:

• Distraction Tactics: Just as hackers may launch attacks during holidays or weekends when monitoring is reduced, solar storms can serve as natural diversions, masking cyber intrusions.
• Satellite Manipulation: Increased drag from geomagnetic storms can alter satellite orbits, potentially allowing adversary satellites to approach and interfere with critical assets.
• Information Gaps: The Space Watch Center aggregates and disseminates information to close gaps in situational awareness, ensuring that both governmental and private entities are informed and can act swiftly.

Quote:
Mowrad Levinson (10:15): "You can physically see the two birds, the two little white dots on the globe kind of maneuvering closer together. Yeah."

Collaborative Efforts and Future Preparedness

Since its inception, the Space Watch Center has seen over 100 entities join its network, including major corporations like Microsoft and Lockheed Martin, universities, and foreign space agencies. This collaboration enhances resilience and preparedness against both space weather and cyber threats.

Key Points:

• Enhanced Resilience: By sharing information and best practices, members can better protect their assets and respond to incidents more effectively.
• Proactive Monitoring: With the sun currently in its solar maximum phase, the frequency of space weather events is expected to increase, necessitating heightened vigilance.
• Policy and Innovation: The Science and Technology Partnership Forum continues to advocate for policies and technologies that bolster space sector defenses.

Quote:
Dina Temple-Raston (12:03): "The ISAC is tracking some 100 attacks against critical infrastructure related to space systems. And now we're about to hit a long stretch of bad solar weather."
Mowrad Levinson (12:32): "We have our finger on that pulse."

Conclusion

"Mic Drop: Guardians of the Galaxy are Sitting in Colorado Springs" provides a comprehensive look into the critical, yet often overlooked, nexus of space weather and cybersecurity. Through detailed discussions and expert insights, Dina Temple-Raston underscores the imperative of collaborative defense mechanisms to safeguard our digital and physical infrastructures against emerging celestial and human threats.

Closing Remarks:
Dina Temple-Raston emphasizes the importance of vigilance and information sharing, reiterating the role of the Space Watch Center in maintaining the resilience of space-dependent systems.

Quote:
Dina Temple-Raston (12:33): "As the attacks increase, we're going to have our finger on that pulse."

This episode serves as a compelling reminder of the complex and intertwined challenges posed by our expanding digital and space frontiers. For listeners interested in cybersecurity, space exploration, and national security, this episode of "Click Here" offers invaluable insights into the hidden battles that shape our modern world.