The modern space economy is increasingly powered by dual-use satellites that support both civilian services and national security needs. These assets deliver critical capabilities, from communications to Earth observation, but they also face growing risks. Protecting them, along with the intellectual property they carry, requires an integrated end-to-end approach that connects logistics, compliance and mission assurance into one continuous system.
Fragmented supply chains leave gaps where errors, exposure or miscommunication can occur. Integrated logistics and launch services create a chain of trust from ground to orbit, ensuring that security and operational integrity are maintained at every step. In a future defined by higher launch cadence and globalized satellite manufacturing, this chain of trust becomes even more essential. And to make sure this chain remains unbroken, industry leaders and regulators must immediately integrate security and compliance into every step of the logistics and launch process, transitioning from fragmented best practices to mandatory, end-to-end systems.
Building the chain of trust
Satellites begin their journey in high-security facilities with controlled access, monitoring and strict environmental controls. During transport, sealed containers, trusted logistics partners and export control expertise help reduce vulnerabilities and prevent tampering. At launch sites, secure data handling, cybersecurity protocols and tightly managed chain-of-custody procedures protect software and sensitive hardware, while mission management teams supervise both technical milestones and security conditions.
For dual-use missions, intellectual property is often as valuable as the satellite itself. Encryption, controlled access and secure IT systems protect this information and maintain compliance with defense and export regulations. These safeguards reinforce trust among manufacturers, operators and institutional partners.
The hidden risk of cutting corners
The complexity of creating a true end-to-end chain of trust can tempt some actors to take shortcuts. Reliance on fragmented or non-integrated suppliers is the industry’s quiet form of cutting corners. Under pressure to move fast or reduce costs, newer or lower-capital companies may prioritize speed over security infrastructure or proper compliance. These decisions remain invisible until something goes wrong, and by then the consequences can be severe.
In a landscape where satellites carry sensitive software, advanced technologies and national-level capabilities, cutting corners introduces systemic risk. One small failure in logistics can compromise an entire mission, disrupt commercial operations or jeopardize confidential IP with long-term consequences for national security and market competitiveness.
A call to action for the industry
The protection of satellites cannot rely on voluntary best practices. It requires coordinated action across government, industry and international partners. The next steps should be clear:
- Establish harmonized global compliance standards. Industry leaders and regulators must push for greater alignment across major export and dual-use frameworks. This is critical because regulations such as ITAR, EAR and the EU Dual-Use Regulation form the backbone of responsible space operations, yet the lack of global standardization and regulatory differences between jurisdictions currently create uncertainty and slow down planning for secure cross-border cooperation and launch campaigns.
- Invest in a digital chain of custody. The sector should adopt mandatory, transparent and immutable digital documentation to verify every handover and milestone, from manufacturing to orbit. This investment is necessary because the rapid pace of technological change — including digital payloads, software-defined satellites and advanced cybersecurity threats — requires far more robust logistical and IT protections than many legacy processes can support.
- Treat mission assurance as a prerequisite. Security and compliance cannot be optional upgrades. They must be the baseline for participating in dual-use missions and operating in sensitive orbital regimes.
The new strategic high ground
As orbit becomes more congested and central to global infrastructure, protecting dual-use satellites is essential. Hardware protection is only one layer. The integrity of logistics, chain of custody, intellectual property and security protocols will define the next decade of space operations.
End-to-end logistics and launch services that embed security, compliance and mission assurance form the unseen backbone of a resilient and sovereign space environment. They make access to orbit not only possible but trustworthy. And they ensure that every mission, civilian or defense, contributes to the long-term stability of the space domain.
Pietro Guerrieri is the CEO of Impulso.space, a company providing end-to-end launch services.
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