Toward Space-Based Public Key Systems: Enabling Secure Space Communications through In-Orbit Trust Services
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arXiv
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
| Veröffentlicht: |
2026
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| _version_ | 1866917467690893312 |
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| author | Yasmin, Rehana Esteves-Verissimo, Paulo Shoker, Ali |
| author_facet | Yasmin, Rehana Esteves-Verissimo, Paulo Shoker, Ali |
| contents | The New Space era has led to a rapid increase in satellites operated by independent entities in near-Earth orbit. This shift enables richer space services but also requires secure, near-real-time coordination, making efficient authentication of space assets critical for next-generation missions. Traditional ground-dependent Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) suffers from latency and operational bottlenecks that limit scalability and availability in dynamic space environments. This paper proposes architectural designs for space-based PKI that shift certificate management and validation from ground infrastructure into space, reducing reliance on ground stations while enabling interoperability and cross-entity collaboration. Two deployment schemes are introduced: a space-ground integrated PKI with in-orbit validation authorities, and a fully autonomous space-based PKI with in-space issuance and validation. We analyze deployment trade-offs in scalability, availability, security, cost, and operational complexity in multi-operator environments. A baseline latency analysis is provided to illustrate performance implications of in-orbit trust management. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_05948 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Toward Space-Based Public Key Systems: Enabling Secure Space Communications through In-Orbit Trust Services Yasmin, Rehana Esteves-Verissimo, Paulo Shoker, Ali Cryptography and Security Emerging Technologies The New Space era has led to a rapid increase in satellites operated by independent entities in near-Earth orbit. This shift enables richer space services but also requires secure, near-real-time coordination, making efficient authentication of space assets critical for next-generation missions. Traditional ground-dependent Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) suffers from latency and operational bottlenecks that limit scalability and availability in dynamic space environments. This paper proposes architectural designs for space-based PKI that shift certificate management and validation from ground infrastructure into space, reducing reliance on ground stations while enabling interoperability and cross-entity collaboration. Two deployment schemes are introduced: a space-ground integrated PKI with in-orbit validation authorities, and a fully autonomous space-based PKI with in-space issuance and validation. We analyze deployment trade-offs in scalability, availability, security, cost, and operational complexity in multi-operator environments. A baseline latency analysis is provided to illustrate performance implications of in-orbit trust management. |
| title | Toward Space-Based Public Key Systems: Enabling Secure Space Communications through In-Orbit Trust Services |
| topic | Cryptography and Security Emerging Technologies |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.05948 |