Retooling Satellite Security

Signal, Dec 2007

The U.S. Air Force Cryptographic Support Group will replace the telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C) cryptographic equipment in its satellite groundstations with a next-generation system currently under development. Rather than designing an entirely new system, the service is adapting a high assurance encryption compliant product that already has been developed for its crypto modernization initiative.

ViaSat Incorporated (www.viasat. com) is designing the new system based on its High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor Interoperability Specification KG-250 product. Leveraging standard terrestrial communications security products to protect space TT&C links enables the service to reduce nonrecurring engineering costs from application-specific developments. The move also cuts costs in other areas, including per-unit production and life-cycle support.