‘MeshSatNet’ Boosts In-Orbit Cyber Resilience at Space Force

The Space Force is pioneering new technologies and concepts like “MeshSatNet” to enhance cyber resilience and safeguard critical in-orbit systems, Lt. Col. Marouane Balmakhtar, S6C division chief of cyber operations at the service, told GovCIO Media & Research.

In today’s world, satellites are considered a part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, powering global systems like communications, GPS navigation, weather forecasting and national security. It’s critical to protect not only the space-borne satellites, but also the terrestrial receivers that support them.

“Securing these networks is crucial because any disruption can have far-reaching consequences, affecting everything from civilian communications to military operations. Space systems provide critical infrastructure for both government and private sectors, supporting everything from economic activity to international security,” Balmakhtar said. “A successful cyberattack on satellites could disable these systems, leading to widespread service outages, loss of data and national security risks.”

Bad actors are capable of disrupting satellite networks through a number of methods like jamming, sending false signals to satellite receivers, hacking and even physical attack.

The consequences of an attack could be dire. Balmakhtar said that if a satellite network were to be disrupted, it could lead to “disrupted communications, compromised security data, degraded military capabilities and potentially significant economic losses from interruptions in essential services,” like air traffic, shipping or autonomous vehicle navigation.

The primary challenge in securing satellites lies in their complexity. Operating in-orbit makes them inherently difficult to service, as any physical repairs warrant going into space to service the satellite or bringing it down to Earth, where it will go through a full replacement cycle.

Legacy systems already in orbit also present a challenge, as many of them do not have the cybersecurity considerations of more modern systems. Balmakthar said this could lead to “gaps in defense and inconsistent standards across the industry.”

According to Balmakhtar, linking legacy and newer satellites would require a interoperability protocols and technologies to integrate legacy satellites without disrupting operations or requiring a complete overhaul. Balmakhtar is exploring how the Space Force could retrofit older satellites with updated tech, and develop common platforms and encryption standards, to unify old and new systems. He coined the term “MeshSatNet” to explain this concept.

“In a mesh network, each satellite is connected to others, creating multiple pathways for data transmission. This decentralized approach makes it harder for bad actors to disrupt the entire system, as attacks on one satellite would have limited impact on the overall network,” said Balmakhtar.

Though “MeshSatNet” isn’t a panacea, Balmakhtar said it could allow operators to enhance resilience through alternative pathways by creating redundancies, improving communication security and integrating diverse technologies.

Recent tech advancements like encryption, AI-driven security and quantum computing could also enhance security standards, as long as adversaries do not develop the ability to break cryptographic systems.

“As satellite networks become more complex, the use of advanced encryption, artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect anomalies and predict cyberattacks will become more prevalent,” Balmakhtar said. “AI could help autonomously monitor satellite operations and identify potential threats in real-time.”

Because of the global impacts of satellite operations, collaboration with industry and international partners is key. Any advances in technology will need to be developed in parallel with increased public-private collaboration and global standards to unify space security, Balmakhtar explained.

“The government and private sector will need to continue working closely to create and enforce universal cybersecurity standards. Information sharing, threat intelligence and joint security efforts will be essential to staying ahead of evolving threats,” Balmakhtar said.