Considerations for Cyberspace Security

The development of space-based assets and systems provide capabilities and services for exploration, communications, meteorology, geo-spatial, and other national interests. The increased reliance on space-based and enabled services has intensified with the transformation to commercial deployment of space flight operations, reusable launch infrastructure, and small-scale satellite constellations. The economic and market factors associated with innovation, competition, and cost reduction have represented a constant challenge for the design and implementation of highly efficient and secure hardware and software components and systems. Measures of safety, reliability, and resiliency are primary factors in space system engineering that are increasingly challenged by the number and severity of cybersecurity threats. These threats have the ability to impact the integrity and operation of computer, control, and communication systems and networks. These information and communications technology systems are susceptible to cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, operations, and attacks that represent a significant risk with the added complexity of remote operation and control in a space-based environment. This paper provides an overview of selected cybersecurity threats with potential considerations to improve reliability, safety, resilience, and security of space systems and networks.