Maxar Space Systems, a leading U.S. satellite manufacturer, has reported a data breach that exposed sensitive personal information belonging to its employees.
The intrusion was discovered on October 11, 2024, revealing that a hacker using a Hong Kong-based IP address had accessed the company’s systems roughly a week before detection. Upon identifying the unauthorized access, Maxar took immediate action to secure its network and prevent further infiltration.
The compromised system contained files with sensitive employee details, including names, home addresses, Social Security numbers, employment records, and business contact information. Maxar has clarified that financial information, such as banking details, was not included in the exposed data.
To support those affected, the company is providing identity protection and credit monitoring services through IDShield for current employees, while former employees have until February 2025 to enroll in protection services via IDX.
Maxar, based in Colorado, is a critical player in the aerospace industry, with over 80 satellites currently in orbit and technology that has supported NASA’s Psyche mission and the Artemis Moon exploration program. While the breach notification focuses on employee data, concerns are growing over whether proprietary technical information might also have been compromised.
In July 2024, a threat actor claimed to have scraped user data from GeoHIVE, a geospatial intelligence platform managed by Maxar’s parent company, raising questions about possible connections between the two incidents.
