Cybersecurity and Human Spaceflight Safety

Space system cybersecurity is of paramount concern to the rapidly growing space sector. Human spaceflight programs are also increasing in number, ranging from space tourism to high-criticality missions. The safety of such missions is often studied, but the unique cybersecurity considerations of human spaceflight and the potential cyber risks to safety is never openly discussed. This paper describes cyber risks inherent to human spaceflight and highlights the need for further study and protocol to improve the safety of future missions. Additionally, cyber risk mitigation measures are proposed that could directly reduce the human spaceflight safety risks induced by cyber threats.