Merging the Space & Cyber Domains in Developmental Planning

Abstract

Cyber threats to space systems are more intense, virulent, and pervasive than ever before. All segments of the space enterprise (space, ground, user) present potential cyber attack surfaces. National Security Space (NSS) systems, in particular, are potential targets of advanced cyber attacks seeking to disrupt, degrade, or destroy critical capabilities. The rapid evolution of space and cyber threats requires accelerated leveraging of S&T (science and technology) research into fielded capability. The can only happen with a more rapid requirements analysis and maturation process, coupled with a more agile and responsive acquisition timeline. To be effective and affordable, cyber resiliency characteristics need to be integral to systems architectures starting at the early concept stages. To support more agile cyber capabilities deployment, the Air Force Space & Missiles Systems Center (SMC) has developed a methodology to ensure that focused cyber threats analysis is tightly coupled with space systems developmental planning activities, beginning with early space system concepts. Once driving cyber threats for a mission concept are determined, a risk-based approach is used to identify candidate S&T efforts to bridge key cyber capability gaps. This methodology supports increased cyber resiliency and affordability for future NSS space systems.