Description of Driving Event:
Potential Inadequate International Space Station (ISS) Downlink Encryption
Lesson(s) Learned:
NASA has taken positive steps for upgrading security on the ISS uplink by adopting a more robust encryption scheme. The downlink and the links between the Mission Control Centers (MCCs) in Houston and Moscow, however, are not encoded.
Recommendation(s):
Conduct an overall threat analysis of the Space Station downlink and its interfaces to both MCC Houston and MCC Moscow.
Evidence of Recurrence Control Effectiveness:
NASA concurs with the ASAP recommendation. The ISS uplink is critical to the safety of the ISS and contains encryption and processing safe-guards to ensure that it is protected. Automated commanding will not be downlinked. If the downlink were compromised, the result would be momentary transmission of erroneous data to flight controllers, who would resolve the erroneous data prior to responding. The link between the Houston and Moscow control centers is a part of the control center network and undergoes continuous security analysis and protective upgrades. The Security Analysis and Response Team, a multilateral ground segment security team chartered by the ISS Program's Ground Segment Control Board, conducts this activity. This team initiated an analysis of the link between MCC-Houston and MCC-Moscow in 1999, and is scheduled to be completed in July 2000.
Documents Related to Lesson:
N/A
Mission Directorate(s):
- Space Operations
- Exploration Systems
Additional Key Phrase(s):
- Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel
- Computers
- Ground Operations
- Policy & Planning
- Risk Management/Assessment
- Security
- Software
Additional Info:
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