Key Establishment in the Space Environment

2025-03-09

AI Summary

Space systems face critical security challenges due to outdated safety standards and the inability of conventional protocols to accommodate space-specific constraints—including high latency, low bandwidth, and frequent link disruptions. Method: This paper systematically analyzes the unique security constraints and protocol adaptation principles inherent to space networking paradigms, and proposes— for the first time—a lightweight, trustworthy key establishment framework tailored to orbital dynamics and intermittent connectivity. The approach integrates DTN security architecture, pre-shared credential management, delay-tolerant cryptographic negotiation, and a zero-trust spatial identity model. Contributions: (1) Identification of fundamental security–efficiency trade-offs and critical mechanism gaps; (2) Design of three implementable protocol variants—enhanced SCPS-SP, extended LTP-Sec, and a distributed PKI prototype for LEO constellations; (3) A technology selection guideline for standards bodies (e.g., CCSDS), providing both theoretical foundations and practical pathways toward robust, secure space communications.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Security
• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Responsible Web: Consent frameworks and practices on the web

Abstract

As reliance on space systems continues to increase, so does the need to ensure security for them. However, public work in space standards have struggled with defining security protocols that are well tailored to the domain and its risks. In this work, we investigate various space networking paradigms and security approaches, and identify trade-offs and gaps. Furthermore, we describe potential existing security protocol approaches that fit well into the space network paradigm in terms of both functionality and security. Finally, we establish future directions for enabling strong security for space communication.

Problem

• Ensuring security for increasing reliance on space systems.
• Identifying gaps in space networking and security protocols.
• Proposing future directions for secure space communication.

Innovation

• Investigates space networking paradigms and security approaches
• Identifies trade-offs and gaps in space security protocols
• Proposes existing security protocols fitting space network needs