T-Minus Space Daily: Quantum Maps, GPS Traps, and Big Launches Ahead

Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes (N2K Networks)
Main Guests: Dave Bittner (The CyberWire), Brandon Karpf (NTT, cybersecurity executive)

Overview

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily delivers a blend of breaking space industry news—including innovations in quantum sensing and imminent major satellite launches—followed by a deep-dive discussion into the critical topic of GPS spoofing. The team unpacks how GPS manipulation affects everything from commerce to military operations, especially at sea, and explores both the vulnerabilities and possible technological solutions. The tone is engaging, candid, and information-rich, with technical clarity woven into practical examples.

Top News Highlights & Major Stories

(Timestamps indicate segment start)

1. Quantum Gravimetry: Canada–EU Collaboration

[01:31–03:05]

• Luxembourg’s Space Agency awarded a contract to Canadian Space Mining Corporation (CSMC) to build QASM (Quantum Atomic Subsurface Mapper).
  • Purpose: Detect and characterize subsurface resources (minerals, water) from orbit on Earth and other planetary bodies.
  • Dual-use (commercial and scientific).
  • Early lab demos set for 2026; in-space demonstration targeted “in the next few years.”
  • Quote: “The project represents a milestone in EU–Canada cooperation on quantum technologies for space exploration, integrating Canadian innovation with European technical and institutional leadership.” (Maria Varmazes, 02:30)

2. China’s Space Developments

[03:05–03:53]

• Unmanned spacecraft (Shenzhou 22) heading to the Tiangong space station Nov. 25 to support crew lacking a return vehicle (post damage to Shenzhou 21).
• Commercial trial of satellite IoT services launched—aims to boost satellite communication and support commercial aerospace/low-altitude markets.
  • The trial lasts two years, supporting “eligible enterprises” under national regulation.
  • “This trial aims to diversify the supply in the satellite communication market...” (Maria Varmazes, 03:44)

3. UAE National SAR Satellite Program

[03:53–04:51]

• ST Engineering (Singapore) selected by FADA (EDGE Group) to deliver a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite for the UAE’s National SAR Constellation Program (CERB).
  • Objective: Enhanced Earth observation for disaster response, environmental monitoring, and national security.
  • Includes satellite, mission control, and infrastructure development.

4. AST SpaceMobile’s Big Launch

[04:51–05:59]

• Bluebird 6 satellite set to launch Dec. 15 from India (Satish Space Center).
  • Largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit: ~2,400 sq. ft.
  • 3.5x increase over Bluebirds 1–5; 10x more data capacity.
  • Five orbital launches planned by end of Q1 2026, aiming for 45–60 satellites to support continuous coverage in the US and select markets.

5. Extra Stories (Selected Readings)

[07:23–07:35]

• Additional headlines: Arctic antenna boom, varying European space strategies, NASA’s liquid hydrogen supply selection.

Feature Segment: GPS Spoofing—Risks & Reality

[09:48–27:59]

Introduction: What Is GPS and Why Does It Matter?

[11:00]

• Developed by the US military in the 1970s, GPS has evolved into critical global infrastructure underpinning transport, commerce, and daily digital life.
  • Quote: “Every aspect of our daily lives and economy today relies on this brilliant innovation from the US military... literally trillions of dollars of economic value have been attributed to G.” (Brandon Karpf, 11:00)
• Other GNSS systems: Europe’s Galileo, China’s BeiDou, etc.

How GPS Reliance Shaped Modern Maritime Industry

[12:25–13:55]

• Precise geolocation is crucial for autonomously navigating giant cargo ships, especially through treacherous weather and tight passages.
  • “These ships really kind of just drive themselves... all of that relies on and requires the accurate GPS signals from our position, navigation, and timing satellites.” (Brandon Karpf, 12:55)

Vulnerabilities: Jamming and Spoofing—What Makes GPS Weak?

[14:18–15:07]

• GPS signal is basic, low-power, and not complex to forge.
  • Easily replicated with “maybe $50 of off-the-shelf equipment” (Brandon Karpf).
  • Even robotics companies sometimes spoof GPS inside labs (illegally) for experiments.
  • Quote: “The signal characteristics themselves are actually incredibly basic... you could probably buy maybe $50 of off the shelf equipment and create a spoofed GPS signal.” (Brandon Karpf, 14:18)
• Military hardware and smart munitions depend on GPS, multiplying the risk.

Global Hotspots & Real-world Examples

[15:07–16:17]

• GPS spoofing and jamming now widespread tactics in:
  • Russia (Syrian conflict, Black Sea, Ukraine)
  • Western Pacific (Taiwan)
  • Maritime choke points (Straits of Malacca, Red Sea, Hormuz)
  • Off Venezuela's coast
• Quote: “We've heard rumors of whenever Vladimir Putin is on board a ship, they spoof that ship's location... or his dacha in the mountains.” (Dave Bittner, 16:17)

Types of Jamming & Spoofing (with Analogies)

[17:43–20:24]

• Barrage Jamming: “Like someone turns on a radio super loud—no one can hear the GPS signal.” (Brandon Karpf, 17:43)
• Spot Jamming: Targeting specific known GPS frequencies.
• Spoofing: Replicating the signature GPS signal (modulation, frequency, power) and subtly shifting the timing to mislead receivers.
  • Can be done using open-source software and software-defined radios.
  • Quote: “A really effective, sophisticated GPS spoofer is going to... give you just a slight timing delay... the adversary is going to pull your GPS location away from where it’s supposed to be...” (Brandon Karpf, 19:33)
• Peril: Ships lured off correct course, into territorial waters—risking being boarded or accused of trespass.

Legal and Security Ramifications

[21:02–22:38]

• Navigation errors could see vessels “accidentally infringe upon the territorial waters of a foreign nation,” causing diplomatic or military crises.
• Risk not just to defense, but economic activities (fishing, drilling, shipping lanes).

Mitigation: What’s Being Done?

[23:03–24:53]

• Limiting factor: Attacks occur at the terminal (receiver) end, not by hacking satellites.
  • Digital signatures (Navigation Message Authentication) could validate GPS signals at the receiver level but demand more CPU power and infrastructure.
  • Quote: “That’s really the only solution here... digital signatures using techniques from authenticating communications and network tech...” (Brandon Karpf, 23:59)
• US military still largely reliant on “legacy GPS architecture”—no special backup system yet publicly deployed.

Possible Alternatives & Future Solutions

[24:53–27:59]

• Research into low Earth orbit (LEO) PNT satellites (higher redundancy, but coverage issues).
• Old-school “LORAN” technology (lower frequency, harder to jam/spoof, but bulkier gear).
• Quantum navigation and laser-inertial navigation as next-gen approaches.
  • “Tons of different technologies that people are actively investing in right now to try to solve this problem.” (Brandon Karpf, 27:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On GPS’s Cold War roots:
  • “Really designed to drop a precision guided munition on Moscow during the Cold War.”
    (Brandon Karpf, 11:04)
• On spoofing kits:
  • “You could probably buy maybe $50 of off the shelf equipment and create a spoofed GPS signal.”
    (Brandon Karpf, 14:20)
• On ease of access:
  • “Open source GitHub repos that do this, algorithms that do this... any sort of software defined radio.”
    (Brandon Karpf, 20:30)
• On military navigation worries:
  • “Not having confidence in where you are creates a massive amount of risk that these ships might just not accept.”
    (Brandon Karpf, 22:30)
• On solutions:
  • “Digital signatures using...authentication...has worked very well...probably applies quite well here.”
    (Brandon Karpf, 23:59)

Segment Timestamps

• [01:31] – Main news stories of the day
• [09:48] – Introduction to Space & Cyber segment (Maria, Dave, Brandon)
• [11:00] – Deep dive begins: What is GPS, how it shapes industry/military
• [14:18] – How & why GPS spoofing is so easy
• [17:43] – Types of jamming & spoofing explained
• [21:02] – Legal, military, and operational impacts
• [23:03] – Defensive technologies and mitigation
• [24:53] – Current status of US military GPS, future upgrades
• [25:44] – Alternative systems and the road ahead

Tone & Language

• Conversational, direct, with humor and occasional exasperation over technical vulnerabilities.
• Clarifying analogies (e.g., radio jamming equals someone blasting loud music over a whispered conversation).

Additional Note

• Community segment: Lighthearted story about a missing stratosphere-trekking teddy bear mascot shows the fun side of space curiosity and supports listener engagement.
  “Bradfield Bear decided today was the day that he’d have his picnic and decided to get the heck out of there...” (Maria Varmazes, 29:47)

Summary

This episode expertly combines global space-industry updates with an accessible yet technically robust exploration of GPS spoofing—a high-stakes threat with implications for shipping, commerce, and national security. Through crisp explanations, real-world anecdotes, and insightful forecasts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of both the vulnerabilities of today’s satellite navigation and the hard path to securing it for tomorrow.