Cyber Resilience Limitations in Space Systems Design Process: Insights from Space Designers

Abstract

Space technology is integral to modern critical systems, including navigation, communication, weather, financial services, and defence. Despite its significance, space infrastructure faces unique cyber resilience challenges exacerbated by the size, isolation, cost, persistence of legacy systems, and lack of comprehensive cyber resilience engineering standards. This paper examines the engineering challenges associated with incorporating cyber resilience into space design, drawing on insights and experiences from industry experts. Through qualitative interviews with engineers, cybersecurity specialists, project managers, and testers, we identified key themes in engineering methodologies, cybersecurity awareness, and the challenges of integrating cyber resilience into space projects. Participants emphasised the importance of incorporating cybersecurity considerations from the earliest stages of design, advocating for principles such as zero-trust architecture and security by design. Our findings reveal that experts favour Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Agile methodologies, highlighting their synergy in developing flexible and resilient systems. The study also underscores the tension between principles-based standards, which offer flexibility but can lead to inconsistent implementation, and compliance-based approaches, which provide clear measures but may struggle to adapt to evolving threats. Additionally, the research recognises significant barriers to achieving cyber resilience, including insider threats, the complexity of testing and validation, and budget constraints. Effective stakeholder engagement and innovative funding models are crucial for fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and investment in necessary technologies. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive cyber resilience framework that integrates diverse engineering methodologies and proactive security measures, ensuring the resilience of space infrastructure against emerging cyber threats.

Keywords

• cyber resilience challenges
• space designers interview
• cyber resilience framework
• space systems design
• space systems security
• model-based systems engineering (MBSE)