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Spoofing of Satellite Signals is easy to Overcome

 

A more subtle possibility is to spoof the telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) signals from a ground station. These signals tell satellites when to turn on and off, when to conduct maintenance routines, and how to position themselves. A commercial satellite system could be rendered inoperative by simply manipulating the TT&C signal so as to instruct all satellites in a system to disable themselves. Spoofing a satellite signal, however, can also be a low-payoff proposition, as shown once again by GPS, which is a special case in this respect. ( More ... )

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Black, J. Todd. "Commercial Satellites: Future Threats or Allies?." Naval War College Review. (Winter 1999). [ 2 quotes ]

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Commercial Imagery and Communication Satellites not Threatened by Jamming

 

Commercial imagery and communication signals are more likely to be susceptible to jamming and spoofing, but not wholly. Such systems are not designed to be resistant to jamming, but they must be flexible enough to avoid natural interference. While not "frequency agile" in the military sense, they are able to shift frequencies and store information if other signals are causing problems. Also, commercial communication satellite systems have to know who is calling in order to know whom to bill, and to be able to distinguish a paying user's signal from a false one; to that extent they are spoof resistant. Of course, however, localized jamming of communications and imagery downloads might be possible if one knows where to jam. ( More ... )

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Black, J. Todd. "Commercial Satellites: Future Threats or Allies?." Naval War College Review. (Winter 1999). [ 2 quotes ]

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