From Sputnik To CubeSats: The Evolution Of Satellite Technology And Cybersecurity Challenges
- by RF Globalnet
- Aug 01, 2024
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Unlike the thousands of satellites in orbit today, Sputnik 1 was launched during a time when hacking didn’t exist in the modern sense of the term. But today, hacking – the unauthorized access to computer systems – is a real threat to satellites.
Just how much of a threat and what can be done to counter it? Let’s find out.
A Brief History Of Satellite Hacking
The history of satellite hacking dates back several decades and has evolved alongside the growing intricacies of satellite technology. Here are some key events and developments in satellite hacking, thanks to The Conversation:
1998 ROSAT Incident: One of the earliest reported cases involved the U.S.-German ROSAT X-ray satellite. Hackers allegedly gained control of the satellite by breaching computers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. They instructed the satellite to aim its solar panels directly at the sun, damaging its batteries and rendering it useless.
1999 SkyNet Ransom: Hackers took control of the UK’s SkyNet satellites and held them for ransom.
2008 NASA Satellite Takeover: Hackers, possibly from China, reportedly gained full control of two NASA satellites for brief periods – one for about two minutes and another for about nine minutes.
2018 Chinese Hacking Campaign: A group of Chinese state-backed hackers allegedly launched a sophisticated campaign targeting satellite operators and defense contractors.
Iranian Hacking Attempts: Iranian hacking groups also have been reported to attempt similar attacks on satellite systems.
More recently, according to Scientific American, was the “2022 Viasat KA-SAT attack, attributed to Russian state actors, (which) overpowered the satellite’s communication protocols. This led to widespread internet outages and disruptions in remote sensing services across Ukraine and other parts of Europe that affected more than 9,000 subscribers in France and roughly 13,000 subscribers in other European countries and resulted in a major German energy company losing remote access to more than 5,800 wind turbines. The incident prompted an international call from the European Parliament for stronger cybersecurity measures in space technology, emphasizing the need for enhanced cyber-resilience in response to the challenges observed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
Several factors contribute to the vulnerability of satellites, including the use of off-the-shelf technology in satellite construction, especially for small CubeSats, which can be more easily exploited. Other factors are:
Lack of cybersecurity standards and regulations for commercial satellites.
Complex supply chains and multiple stakeholders involved in satellite management, leading to unclear responsibility for cybersecurity.
Pressure on companies to cut costs and speed up development, potentially at the expense of robust security measures.
The potential consequences of satellite hacking have become increasingly severe over time. Hackers could potentially shut down satellites, denying access to their services. They also can jam or spoof satellite signals, disrupting critical infrastructure like electric grids, water networks, and transportation systems, as well as take control of steerable satellites, potentially causing collisions with other space objects.
As satellite technology continues to advance and more satellites are launched, the importance of addressing cybersecurity in space has become a critical concern for both government and commercial entities.
Legislating Satellite Security
Scientific American writes, “The vulnerability of satellite systems to cyberattacks is no longer theoretical.” Adding, “We need immediate, fortified satellite cybersecurity – not as a distant aspiration but as an urgent imperative right now. This is not a call for vague future planning but a demand for decisive action now to avert an all-too-likely scenario where critical services are incapacitated with far-reaching and devastating consequences.”
Regulation, according to The Conversation, will be a big part of securing satellites. It writes, “Some analysts have begun to advocate for strong government involvement in the development and regulation of cybersecurity standards for satellites and other space assets. Congress could work to adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework for the commercial space sector. For instance, they could pass legislation that requires satellite manufacturers to develop a common cybersecurity architecture.”
In addition, it should be mandated that all satellite cyber breaches get reported, and exactly which space-based assets are deemed critical should be identified to prioritize cybersecurity efforts. “Clear legal guidance on who bears responsibility for cyberattacks on satellites also will go a long way to ensuring that the responsible parties take the necessary measures to secure these systems,” The Conversation adds.
The traditionally slow pace of congressional action suggests that a multi-stakeholder approach involving public-private cooperation may be needed to ensure cybersecurity standards. Whatever the final plan ends up being, governments and industry must act now because every successful hack of a commercial satellite is a threat to all of the people of Earth and all of the other satellites in orbit.
Industry Needs To Step Up
Given the slow pace at which governments move, satellite designers, engineers, and operators most likely will need to take action to defend against the threat of cyberattacks, writes Emerson. Those actions include:
Supply Chain Security: Satellites are made up of many parts that could be tampered with by adversaries if they gain physical access before installation. Manufacturers must be aware of supply chain risks and enforce strict security protocols with vendors.
Ground-Based Testing: Testing processes designed to mimic hacking attempts allow developers to identify vulnerabilities and enhance resilience before deployment.
Encrypted Communications: Advanced encryption is crucial to protect against satellite cyberattacks by ensuring that unauthorized parties cannot decipher communications between the satellite and ground stations.
Cyber security Software: Satellite systems can be protected from threats by onboard cybersecurity programs with software updates available even after launch. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) play a significant role in analyzing data from sensors to detect potential threats.
Redundancy: Satellite systems can be designed to operate even when partially impaired, providing a last line of defense if compromised.
Quantum communication and Satellite Link Emulation are two other strategies to employ in the effort to keep hackers away from satellites.
“Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses the principles of quantum mechanics to ensure secure communication by creating an encryption key that is effectively impossible to decipher by outsiders,” Emerson writes. “This technology is currently being tested in several pilot projects around the world and promises to provide a new level of security for satellite communications.”
The promise of quantum satellite communications is exciting but there are significant challenges. These include miniaturizing quantum technology for satellites, maintaining signal integrity over long distances, and establishing global communication standards. Overcoming these hurdles could lead to widespread adoption of quantum communications, fundamentally transforming security for satellite and global communications.
Satellite Link Emulation, on the other hand, is already in use in satellite development. To model and evaluate system performance, engineers designing these systems must replicate real-life conditions using third-party simulation software and real-time hardware-in-the-loop testing. This involves emulating satellite orbit, payload characteristics, and utilizing the NI satellite link emulation IP to combine signals and add noise and carrier wave interference.
This test helps evaluate satellite hacking security measures by simulating complex space environments before launch. It's a cost-effective solution to reduce satellite failure risks and allows engineers to assess system performance under different channel emulator parameters like Doppler, delay, losses, impairments, and interference. This process helps validate next-generation satellite datalinks, speeding up satellite integration and service entry.
“By integrating with most commercially available third-party or customer software, it provides scenario generation and orbital simulation,” writes Emerson. “This comprehensive testing and validation process helps in enhancing the security measures against potential satellite hacking attempts.”
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