Modified - Moon Base - Defending the Smart Lunar Building: Cyber Security for Control Systems
Modified - Moon Base - Defending the Smart Lunar Building: Cyber Security for Control Systems
Requested by NASA Pending
Sponsored by NASA TBD
The Challenge: As we embark on a new era of space exploration, the need for cybersecurity in smart lunar buildings, space stations, satellites, and other space-bound structures increases.
Goal: Protect data, systems, and communications. The consequences of a cyber attack could be catastrophic, ranging from loss of critical data to complete system failure and death.
Modifications, Scope, Level, and more Requirements. ( NOTE: See Requirements Document )
Project Overview
The "NASA Moon Base – Defending the Smart Lunar Building" project is a comprehensive initiative focused on designing, simulating, and securing the control systems and networks that support both a lunar base and its Earth-based mirror facility. The project is structured to address both educational and professional needs: it introduces cybersecurity concepts to students in grades 8–10 and delivers a robust, real-world simulation and security architecture for advanced space operations.
Project Summary
This project aims to safeguard the critical infrastructure of a future NASA Moon Base by developing and testing cybersecurity measures for all networked systems, including control systems, smart devices, and wireless communications. The scope covers both the lunar base and a mirrored lab on Earth, ensuring operational continuity and security across both environments.
Key objectives include: Work Force Development
Educational Outreach: Creating introductory cybersecurity labs for middle and high school students using accessible simulation tools, fostering early interest and understanding in space-related cybersecurity.
Advanced Simulation & Security: Combining professional-grade network simulation and security testing for the lunar base and its Earth mirror. This involves modeling network architecture, host intrusion detection systems (HIDS), and all connected equipment, including Nokia 4G wireless systems and a wide array of smart devices.
Network Segmentation & Redundancy: Designing the network in distinct segments—Earth facilities, space links, lunar surface connections, and the lunar base itself—with redundant paths and robust security at every layer.
Comprehensive Testing: Utilizing multivendor simulation platforms to ensure realistic, scalable, and secure network operations. The project includes detailed network diagrams, traffic analysis, and cable layouts, as well as simulation of potential cyber threats and system responses.
Future-Proofing Space Operations: By mirroring the lunar base on Earth and integrating advanced monitoring and management tools, the project ensures that both routine operations and emergency responses can be practiced, refined, and secured before deployment on the Moon.
In summary, this project not only advances the cybersecurity posture of NASA’s lunar ambitions but also inspires and educates the next generation of space technologists, blending hands-on learning with the rigorous demands of real-time, mission-critical space systems.
...