Robust and Secure Communication Protocols for Space Missions
Harmanjot Singh, Sudhakar Kumar, Sarjana Singh, Anoop Pant, Chandra Kumari Subba, Brij Bhooshan Gupta, Kostas E. Psannis · 2025
New flagship space missions require larger teams and more complex operations, increasing the need for highly reliable and secure communications to achieve mission goals and protect sensitive information. This chapter explores key security challenges in space mission communications, beginning with the importance of secure communication and the unique difficulties of space-based systems. It focuses on symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques, offers an overview of communication protocol evolution, and examines key security requirements. Quantum cryptography is discussed as a future solution for securing space communications. Authentication and data integrity mechanisms, such as digital signatures and spacecraft control protocols, are covered, alongside the threats of data interception, jamming, and signal spoofing. The chapter also addresses satellite communication security, the protection of telemetry, tracking, and command links, and the challenges of adapting security protocols for deep-space missions.