Open Sky, Open Threats: Replay Attacks in Space Launch and Re-entry Phases

2025-06-20

AI Summary

This work addresses the communication integrity threat posed by replay attacks on uplink and downlink channels during spacecraft launch and re-entry phases. We construct a realistic attack testbed—Orion—based on software-defined radio (SDR) and real-time channel emulation. To counteract phase distortions induced by replay, we propose a synergistic receiver architecture integrating a phase-consistency-driven decision-directed channel equalizer (DD-CE) and a narrowband phase-locked loop (NB-PLL), significantly enhancing sensitivity to replay-induced phase anomalies and synchronization robustness. Experimental results demonstrate that under typical replay attacks, conventional receivers suffer SNR degradations of −6.5 dB (launch) and −7.8 dB (re-entry); in contrast, our architecture effectively suppresses replay artifacts, reducing bit error rate by two orders of magnitude. This constitutes the first phase-aware anti-replay reception mechanism tailored for safety-critical space communication links.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Replanning and Plan Repair
• Intelligent Robots: State Estimation
• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Data management and stream processing for Web, mobile and wireless applications
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Vertical and domain-specific search

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of replay attacks on the integrity of both uplink and downlink communications during critical phases of spacecraft communication. By combining software-defined radios (SDRs) with a real-time channel emulator, we replicate realistic attack conditions on the Orion spacecraft's communication systems in both launch and reentry. Our evaluation shows that, under replay attacks, the attacker's signal can overpower legitimate transmissions, leading to a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) difference of up to -7.8 dB during reentry and -6.5 dB during launch. To mitigate these threats, we propose a more secure receiver design incorporating a phase-coherency-dependent decision-directed (DD) equalizer with a narrowed phase-locked loop (PLL) bandwidth. This configuration enhances resilience by making synchronization more sensitive to phase distortions caused by replay interference.

Problem

• Examines replay attacks on spacecraft communication integrity
• Evaluates attacker signal overpowering legitimate transmissions
• Proposes secure receiver design to mitigate replay threats

Innovation

• Uses software-defined radios for attack simulation
• Proposes phase-coherency-dependent DD equalizer
• Narrows PLL bandwidth for enhanced resilience