Low Earth Orbit Satellite Security and Reliability: Issues, Solutions, and the Road Ahead

TLDR

LEO satellites are rapidly evolving due to increasing user demand, falling costs, and technological advances. This paper addresses the paucity of research on the security and reliability challenges of LEO satellite communication systems. The authors conduct a comprehensive appraisal of LEO SCS characteristics, delineate security and reliability requirements, analyze vulnerabilities and attack vectors, propose mitigation strategies and trade‑offs, and outline future research avenues such as integrated sensing‑communication, computer‑vision‑aided links, and mega‑constellation challenges.

Abstract

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites undergo a period of rapid development driven by ever-increasing user demands, reduced costs, and technological progress. Since there is a lack of literature on the security and reliability issues of LEO Satellite Communication Systems (SCSs), we aim to fill this knowledge gap. Specifically, we critically appraise the inherent characteristics of LEO SCSs and elaborate on their security and reliability requirements. In light of this, we further discuss their vulnerabilities, including potential security attacks launched against them and reliability risks, followed by outlining the associated lessons learned. Subsequently, we discuss the corresponding security and reliability enhancement solutions, unveil a range of trade-offs, and summarize the lessons gleaned. Furthermore, we shed light on several promising future research directions for enhancing the security and reliability of LEO SCSs, such as integrated sensing and communication, computer vision aided communications, as well as challenges brought about by mega-constellation and commercialization. Finally, we summarize the lessons inferred and crystallize the take-away messages in our design guidelines.