Small satellite communications security and student learning in the development of ground station software

Communications security is gaining importance as small spacecraft include actuator capabilities (i.e., propulsion), payloads which could be misappropriated (i.e., high resolution cameras), and research missions with high value/cost. However, security is limited by capability, interoperability and regulation. Additionally, as the small satellite community becomes more mainstream and diverse, the lack of cheap, limited-to-no configuration, pluggable security modules for small satellites also presents a limit for user adoption of security. This paper discusses a prospective approach for incorporating robust security into a student-developed ground station created at the University of North Dakota as part of a Computer Science Department senior design project. This paper includes: A discussion of hardware and software security standards applicable to small spacecraft (including those historically used in the space domain and standards and practices from nonspace activities that can be applied). Analysis directed at how those existing standards can be modified or implemented to best serve the emerging small satellite user-base. A discussion of the impact of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations (for ammeter, experimental and commercial licensees) on the security approaches that can be utilized. This will include identification of key roadblocks and how they may be bridged by clever development. Consideration of the impact of export control on security standards and the ability to have distributed (beyond U.S. border) data collection and command transmission. This reflects the reality that an open and universal standard must be used, resulting in a related discussion of how that effects performance and complexity. A review of the student work on ground station development, including its pedagogical goals, results and an overview of what students learned in the process. A discussion of the broader impact of student generated research and the benefits to the research community at large is also included. An overview of the ground station design produced by the student team. This includes an analysis and explanation of the design choices as they relate to the aforementioned topics. A strategy for incorporating security best practices into this ground station design in a manner that is largely transparent to the user and can be enabled / disabled as needed, based on mission characteristics. The potential for pluggable modules and interfaces that can be utilized easily by non-technical users who are implementing small satellite mission is also discussed.