Satellites have supported global communications for over half a century but today they face unprecedented levels of cyber risk, with the likelihood of satellites being hacked or manipulated by malicious actors having increased significantly.

Currently, cellular telephony (which is described as TN – terrestrial Network) operates independent of major satellite constellations (except for the rare case where the tower site (BTS/Node B/eNB/gNB) is located at a remote site and the only means of mobile backhaul is via VSAT).

Cyberattacks will get another push when Terrestrial Networks (TN) get integrated with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), which is deemed to happen as part of 5G-Advanced, while the unification of TN and NTN is proposed in 6G. NTN consists of not only satellites (GEO/MEO/LEO) but also HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) – a term used by ITU to describe low flying objects like solar-power planes, hot-air balloons, UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, also known as drone planes), etc, which typically fly at an altitude of 20-50km for provision of broadband in emergency or disaster recovery cases. 3GPP Release 17 laid the foundation for NTN requirements, with Releases 18 and 19 providing further detail. With TN-NTN integration, satellites will become more accessible—and more exposed to attack.

Researchers categorize NTN cyber risks into 3 main areas:

#1 Satellite to Satellite Links

Important security requirements in these links include data confidentiality and integrity, key management, and authentication and access control. The difference in altitude and mobility among satellites in the three layers, i.e., GEO, MEO, and LEO, make some of the encryption techniques more challenging, mainly due to complexity in key distribution. Asymmetric key cryptographic protocols require a universally trusted third party to issue, maintain, revoke, and manage certificates. There are also threats of direct security attacks such as jamming attacks, DoS attacks, spoofing attacks, etc. Jamming attacks introduce interference in communication channels to cause unavailability of communication channels between legitimate users. With the integration of TN-NTN networks, the attack permutations will further diversify to LEO-GEO, GEO-MEO and MEO-LEO, in addition to within the orbit attacks.

#2 Satellite to User Equipment

With the integration of TN-NTN networks, a large range of user equipment will be communicating with satellites, like a stationary user on ground, a passenger travelling in a plane, a marine employee travelling in a ship, a student travelling in a bullet train on ground, a communications device installed in the cargo ship, etc. HAPs, UAVs, and terminals in the sea will have different requirements than those of normal smartphones. Frequent handovers between satellites in different orbits (hence difference latencies) will further complicate the whole scenario.

#3 User to Satellite Links

The most vulnerable link, as the hackers will have direct access to the satellites. While satellite phone users number in the millions, mobile users exceed seven billion – expanding the attack surface dramatically. Threats include DoS attacks, jamming, signaling storms, resource theft, configuration attacks, scanning attacks, privacy challenges, and many more.

Vital Cybersecurity Actions

Ensuring cybersecurity in satellite communications requires a multi-layered approach:

1. Encryption and Secure Protocols
   • Most of the communication is already encrypted but satellite phones use proprietary techniques like GMR-1 and GMR-2 where research groups have demonstrated that they can be cracked. Stronger protocols such as AES-256 are needed.
2. Access Control and Authentication
   • Strict authentication mechanisms for ground stations, satellites, and users prevent unauthorized access.
   • Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) ensure only authorized personnel can issue commands or access sensitive data.
3. Anti-jamming and Authentication:
   • Anti-jamming technologies, such as frequency hopping and spread spectrum techniques, make it harder for attackers to interfere with satellite signals.
   • Signal authentication techniques detect and reject spoofed signals.
4. Continuous Monitoring via AI:
   • Continuous monitoring of satellite telemetry and ground station networks can identify unusual patterns or anomalies indicative of cyberattacks.
   • AI and machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to predict, detect, and respond to threats in real time.
5. Employing End-to-End Security
   • Rigorous validation of software updates and hardware components is essential to prevent the introduction of malicious code.
   • Collaboration with trusted vendors and adherence to industry standards enhance security across the supply chain.

Summary

The integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks marks a new era for global communications but also introduces significant cybersecurity challenges. As dependence on satellite services grows, prioritizing cybersecurity is essential to ensure resilience, trust, and continuity in the connected world.

Satellites have become an integral part of our modern world, facilitating communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and much more. Behind their capabilities in enabling global connectivity and unrivaled insights into the mysteries of space lie remarkable facts that will leave you amazed.

#1 Satellite Lifespan: A Decade of Service

Satellites typically have a working life of 10 to 15 years, during which they provide critical services like communication, weather monitoring, and more.

#2 Space Fuel Conservation: The Dance of Orbit

Once a satellites reaches its designated orbit, it can maintain its position without consuming fuel. However, lower satellites experience atmospheric drag over time, requiring occasional fuel boosts to remain in their position.

#3 Farewell, Low Satellites

Low satellites with altitudes below 1,000 km are intentionally de-orbited when they cease to function. They reenter the Earth’s atmosphere, burning up in the process.

#4 Geo Satellites: Celestial Illusionists

Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites orbit the equator at the same speed as the Earth’s rotation, making them appear stationary in the sky. They create the illusion of being fixed in one position.

#5 Leo Satellites: Speed Demons in the Sky

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites orbit the Earth at a staggering speed of 28,000 km/h.

#6 he Mighty ISS: Humanity’s Orbital Oasis

The International Space Station (ISS) holds the distinction of being the largest satellite, measuring a whopping 109 meters in length.

Permanently inhabited by a crew of 6 individuals, the station serves as a remarkable feat of human engineering and international collaboration. Every 6 months, the crew members are rotated, ensuring a continuous human presence in space and fostering groundbreaking research across various fields.

The construction and maintenance of the ISS have come at a significant cost, with the total expenditure exceeding a staggering $150 billion, making it one of the most ambitious and expensive projects in human history.

                                                                                                                Figure 1: International Space Station (ISS)

#7 GPS: 27 Satellites Guiding Our Way

The Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on a network of 27 satellites to provide accurate positioning and navigation services across the globe.

                                                                                                                               Figure 2: GPS Satellite

#8 Sputnik 1: The Trailblazer

The first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched into orbit by the USSR in 1957. Sputnik 1 was a little larger than a football and took about 98 minutes to orbit the Earth. The word ‘Sputnik’ means fellow traveler.

                                                                                                                                  Figure 3: Sputnik 1

#9 Vanguard-1: The Timeless Wanderer

Vanguard-1 holds the title of the oldest man-made satellite still in orbit, having been launched in 1958. It continues to circle the Earth, even after all these years.

#10 Graveyard Orbit: Resting Place for GEO Satellites

GEO satellites which are situated at an altitude of 36,000 km maneuver into a “Graveyard Orbit” at the end of their lives. This ensures that they remain out of the way of operational satellites.

                                                                                                                           Figure 4: Graveyard Orbit

#11 The Resurrected Satellite: LES1’s Surprising Return

In a fascinating turn of events, LES1, a satellite abandoned in 1967, recently started transmitting again due to the decayed batteries unexpectedly shorting the solar energy straight to the electronics.

#12 Messages for the Future: Satellites as Time Capsules

Satellites orbiting Earth today are estimated to re-enter the atmosphere in approximately 8.4 million years, carrying messages from our present civilization to future generations.

#13 Unveiling the Cosmos: Satellites with Mighty Telescopes

Some satellites like the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) carry colossal telescopes to enable the observation of remote galaxies and exoplanets, offering glimpses billions of years into the past.

#14 Tom and Jerry: Satellites on a Gravity Mission

In 2002, 2 satellites nicknamed Tom and Jerry embarked on a groundbreaking mission to investigate Earth’s shifting water masses and map their effects on the planet’s gravity field. Through their data collection, Tom and Jerry contributed invaluable insights into the understanding of Earth’s hydrological cycle and its intricate relationship with gravity.

#15 Suitsat-1: An Unconventional Satellite Endeavor

In a unique and whimsical experiment, the Russian space agency launched Suitsat-1 in 2006. This extraordinary satellite was actually a discarded Russian Orlan spacesuit equipped with various electronics. Suitsat-1 ventured into space, broadcasting amateur radio signals and transmitting images from its onboard cameras. It floated freely, resembling a spacesuit on a spacewalk. Although Suitsat-1’s mission was short-lived and lasted for only a few weeks, it captured the imagination of space enthusiasts and served as a testament to the creativity and ingenuity within the realm of satellite technology.

                                                                                                                                  Figure 6: Suitsat-1

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