Attackers can use anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles, or other kinetic energy threats, to attack a resource from the ground or from a plane, without the needs of an orbit insertion. Counterspace weapons are characterized by an easily attribution and the generation of space debris. These systems could include payloads such as kinetic kill vehicles, radiofrequency jammers, lasers, chemical sprayers, high-power microwaves, and robotic mechanisms. This last technology is developed to repair satellites or to remove space debris, but its use can be malicious. A nuclear explosion can also be used against all the space segments.
This type of attack technique cannot be easily mitigated with preventive controls since it is based on the abuse of system features.