For the first time, researchers launched a satellite into space with the expressed hope that hackers will find and exploit weaknesses in its security defenses. Dubbed Moonlighter, the satellite will be the core of Hack-a-Sat, an annual space security competition hosted at DEF CON, the world’s largest hacking conference. 

The project is a collaboration between the Aerospace Corporation, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and US Space Systems Command. In a so-called bug bounty program to be held at this year’s DEF CON, which will begin on August 10, five teams of hackers will face off to identify vulnerabilities and breach the satellite’s cybersecurity system so that the government can learn more about how hackers go about satellite cyberattacks. The first team to hack the satellite will receive a $50,000 grand prize.

The satellite hitched a ride into low earth orbit on a SpaceX rocket on June 5, along with several other CubeSats for a resupply mission to the International Space Station, where it’s currently awaiting deployment. The satellite will finally go into orbit in July in preparation for DEF CON.

The Hack-a-Sat competition started in 2020, after the secretary of acquisitions for the Air Force attended DEF CON. Since then, the Air Force has used the annual competition an information-gathering project. But so far, all the competitions have been simulations — Moonlighter will be the first actual satellite involved.

James…