Swiss investigators now suspect China of directing a cyberattack against Beyond Gravity, the state-owned space supplier whose hardware flies on Ariane rockets and NASA missions.
Broadcaster SRF reported on October 15 that several people familiar with the case say both the company and federal officials believe a Chinese actor is responsible. Beyond Gravity and the Federal Department of Defense, which is investigating alongside the national cybersecurity office, have declined to confirm the attribution publicly. The company says the origin of the intruder remains under investigation.
The company said it detected the first signs of intrusion on August 12 and only went public in early October, arguing that forensic work takes precedence over speed. Mandiant was brought in to hunt for attacker activity and analyze affected devices.
The company has filed a criminal complaint with the Bern public prosecutor. Maya Graf, who chairs the Senate audit committee, said the parliamentary oversight panels have been briefed on the data breach. The Office of the Attorney General, which handles espionage cases, has not opened action.
Investigators have not disclosed what was taken, but stolen data is considered likely. Ralph Weber, a University of Basel specialist on Chinese intelligence, said espionage campaigns often target modest details rather than flagship technology, because small fragments can matter once assembled.
Beyond Gravity is a subsidiary of Ruag International. The parent group suffered a major intrusion roughly a decade ago that was blamed on Russia and later shelved without charges. Parliament blocked a planned sale of Beyond Gravity on security grounds.
