safemode.space
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EX-0017.02
ST0004Execution
sub-technique

Co-Orbital ASAT

Parent: EX-0017

Description

A co-orbital ASAT uses a spacecraft already in space to conduct a deliberate collision or near-field detonation. After insertion, often well before any hostile action, the vehicle performs rendezvous and proximity operations to achieve the desired relative geometry, then closes to impact or triggers a kinetic or explosive device. Guidance relies on relative navigation (optical, lidar, crosslink cues) and precise timing to manage closing speeds and contact angle. Compared with direct-ascent shots, co-orbital approaches can loiter, shadow, or “stalk” a target for extended periods, masking as inspection or servicing until the terminal maneuver. Effects include mechanical disruption, fragmentation, or mission-ending damage, with debris characteristics shaped by the chosen altitude, closing velocity, and collision geometry.

Mappings

EU regulation articles

  • eu-space-actArt. 86(3)
    addresses
    moderate
    direct

    Co-orbital ASAT is mitigated by constellation redundancy; 86(3)'s redundancies-of-network-and-information-systems clause is the operator-side resilience anchor.

ENISA controls

  • ENISA-STL-2025-03-sD.29-i08
    addresses
    moderate

    Space-based RF mapping detects the emissions and geometry of a co-orbital adversary platform during phasing and stalking phases.

  • ENISA-STL-2025-03-sD.35-i01
    mitigates
    moderate

    Manoeuvre once an adversary's co-orbital approach is detected can break the closing-speed window and alter intercept geometry.

  • ENISA-STL-2025-03-sD.35-i03
    mitigates
    moderate

    Deception and decoys obscure the operator's true position and capabilities, complicating co-orbital ASAT targeting calculations.

Cross-reference controls

  • csf-2-0DE.AE-02Potentially adverse events are analyzed to better understand associated activities
    addresses
    moderate

    Supported by two independent derivations that agree, neither of them SafeMode's invention. Through NIST 800-53: SafeMode's curated mapping records EX-0017.02 against SI-4 System Monitoring, and CSF 2.0's own crosswalk names that control as an informative reference for DE.AE-02. Through SPARTA: SPARTA's catalog maps EX-0017.02 to countermeasure CM0077 Space Domain Awareness; CM0078 Space-Based Radio Frequency Mapping, and that countermeasure's own CSF references include DE.AE-02. Recorded as `addresses` rather than `mitigates` because a CSF subcategory states an outcome to be achieved while the underlying control states the mechanism that achieves it, which is the mechanism-versus-mandate ceiling in decisions entry 15.

  • csf-2-0DE.AE-03Information is correlated from multiple sources
    addresses
    moderate

    Supported by two independent derivations that agree, neither of them SafeMode's invention. Through NIST 800-53: SafeMode's curated mapping records EX-0017.02 against SI-4 System Monitoring, and CSF 2.0's own crosswalk names that control as an informative reference for DE.AE-03. Through SPARTA: SPARTA's catalog maps EX-0017.02 to countermeasure CM0077 Space Domain Awareness; CM0078 Space-Based Radio Frequency Mapping, and that countermeasure's own CSF references include DE.AE-03. Recorded as `addresses` rather than `mitigates` because a CSF subcategory states an outcome to be achieved while the underlying control states the mechanism that achieves it, which is the mechanism-versus-mandate ceiling in decisions entry 15.

  • csf-2-0DE.CM-01Networks and network services are monitored to find potentially adverse events
    addresses
    moderate

    Supported by two independent derivations that agree, neither of them SafeMode's invention. Through NIST 800-53: SafeMode's curated mapping records EX-0017.02 against SI-4 System Monitoring, and CSF 2.0's own crosswalk names that control as an informative reference for DE.CM-01. Through SPARTA: SPARTA's catalog maps EX-0017.02 to countermeasure CM0078 Space-Based Radio Frequency Mapping, and that countermeasure's own CSF references include DE.CM-01. Recorded as `addresses` rather than `mitigates` because a CSF subcategory states an outcome to be achieved while the underlying control states the mechanism that achieves it, which is the mechanism-versus-mandate ceiling in decisions entry 15.

  • csf-2-0PR.DS-02The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data-in-transit are protected
    addresses
    moderate

    Supported by two independent derivations that agree, neither of them SafeMode's invention. Through NIST 800-53: SafeMode's curated mapping records EX-0017.02 against SI-4 System Monitoring, and CSF 2.0's own crosswalk names that control as an informative reference for PR.DS-02. Through SPARTA: SPARTA's catalog maps EX-0017.02 to countermeasure CM0083 Antenna Nulling and Adaptive Filtering, and that countermeasure's own CSF references include PR.DS-02. Recorded as `addresses` rather than `mitigates` because a CSF subcategory states an outcome to be achieved while the underlying control states the mechanism that achieves it, which is the mechanism-versus-mandate ceiling in decisions entry 15.

  • mitre-attack-icsT0879Damage to Property
    addresses
    moderate

    Co-orbital ASAT physically damages the target spacecraft (intercept, contact, fragmentation); T0879 'Damage to Property' covers the property-damage outcome at cross-tactic and cross-domain level.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-10(6)Component Protection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-11Alternate Communications Protocols
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-13Alternative Security Mechanisms
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2Contingency Plan
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(1)Coordinate with Related Plans
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(2)Capacity Planning
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(3)Resume Mission and Business Functions
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(5)Continue Mission and Business Functions
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(6)Alternate Processing and Storage Sites
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5CP-2(7)Coordinate with External Service Providers
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-18Location of System Components
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-19Information Leakage
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-20Asset Monitoring and Tracking
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-21Electromagnetic Pulse Protection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-6Monitoring Physical Access
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-6(1)Intrusion Alarms and Surveillance Equipment
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-6(2)Automated Intrusion Recognition and Responses
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-6(4)Monitoring Physical Access to Systems
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PE-9Power Equipment and Cabling
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PM-16Threat Awareness Program
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5PM-16(1)Automated Means for Sharing Threat Intelligence
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5RA-10Threat Hunting
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5RA-3Risk Assessment
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5RA-3(2)Use of All-source Intelligence
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5RA-3(3)Dynamic Threat Awareness
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5RA-6Technical Surveillance Countermeasures Survey
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SA-3System Development Life Cycle
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SA-8Security and Privacy Engineering Principles
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-26Decoys
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-30Concealment and Misdirection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-30(5)Concealment of System Components
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-40Wireless Link Protection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-5Denial-of-service Protection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SC-5(3)Detection and Monitoring
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SI-4System Monitoring
    addresses
    moderate

    SI-4 mitigates EX-0017.02 by detecting prox-ops indicators of co-orbital approach.

  • nist-80053-rev5SI-4(14)Wireless Intrusion Detection
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SI-4(17)Integrated Situational Awareness
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SI-4(24)Indicators of Compromise
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • nist-80053-rev5SR-8Notification Agreements
    relates to
    moderate

    Referenced in: sparta-data

    Mapped by SPARTA, not curated by SafeMode Space.

  • space-shieldT2028.005Physical sabotage
    addresses
    moderate

    T2028.005 'Physical sabotage' explicitly covers proximity operations with other satellites including kinetic kill vehicles, RF jammers, lasers, and HPM — addresses the broader proximity-attack platform subset of EX-0017.02.

  • space-shieldT2028.007Intentional collision with other satellites
    addresses
    high

    T2028.007 'Intentional collision with other satellites' is the direct counterpart of EX-0017.02 Co-Orbital ASAT (using a spacecraft already in space to deliberately collide with a target after rendezvous and proximity operations).

SPARTA countermeasures

Cite as SafeMode Space, EX-0017.02 (SPARTA v3.2).

Built 2026-07-25 from 216 techniques, 334 regulation articles, 125 ENISA controls, 2,610 framework controls, and 90 countermeasures.