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TRAINING · 28 APRIL 2027

Satellite security training

Hands-on satellite security with Final Frontier Security, the day before the conference. Operate, attack, and defend simulated spacecraft at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Training overview

Start by flying a simulated satellite. Learn how commands travel from the ground to the spacecraft, what normal operations look like, and where an attacker can interfere. Then work through attacks grounded in those operations.

Space vehicles put mission continuity first. Bandwidth is limited, connectivity is intermittent, and the wrong defensive control can disrupt flight operations. The course examines security within those constraints, using the mission environment throughout.

The mission environment

Each participant works with three connected systems. Commands sent from the ground propagate to the simulated spacecraft in real time.

Labs build from normal mission operations to modifying flight software and uploading a custom module that acts as a covert backdoor in the simulator.

Apollo crew checking their control panels, adapted with an orbital display and telemetry on the console.

Operator workstation

Orbital visualization and mission operations.

FIG. A1 — Mission operationsCheck of Systems
NASA · APOLLO 11
PRESS KIT · P. 5 (opens in a new tab)
Apollo astronauts beside a tripod-mounted dish, adapted with a cabled command and telemetry unit.

Ground station

Command and telemetry between the operator and spacecraft.

FIG. A2 — Command & telemetryExperiment Placements
NASA · APOLLO 11
PRESS KIT · P. 11 (opens in a new tab)
An adaptation of Apollo's deployed PSEP equipment with its antenna and folding solar panels, replacing the central instrument with a cutaway flight computer.

Satellite simulator

NASA open flight software in a simulated spacecraft environment.

FIG. A3 — Flight softwarePSEP Deployed Configuration
NASA · APOLLO 11
PRESS KIT · P. 149 (opens in a new tab)

What you’ll work through

  1. OperateFly a simulated satellite mission environment.
  2. CommandExecute command sequences through a ground station.
  3. ExploitExploit a vulnerability in ground station software to carry out a man-in-the-middle attack.
  4. InterceptIntercept and manipulate command traffic.
  5. ConcealHide malicious activity in operational telemetry.
  6. PersistenceUpload a backdoor to the satellite’s flight software.

Alongside the labs, the course covers the SPARTA space threat framework, attack paths across ground and space systems, detection and monitoring approaches for spacecraft, and how commercial and government programs approach mission security.

Who it’s for

All experience levels are welcome. The course is for security practitioners who want to understand spacecraft operations, and operators and engineers who want to examine those operations from an attacker’s perspective. The work connects spacecraft software, ground systems, and the people running the mission.

Experience. No prior technical experience is required. The course supports participants of all technical abilities.

What to bring. Bring a modern laptop on which you can install software and connect to AWS IP addresses. If you use a managed work laptop, check those permissions before arriving.

Attend the training

Training is on . The conference follows on . Attend either day or both; see registration for admission options and the training booking deadline.

Get tickets

Questions about the course? Contact Flight.

MISSION · TAKE THE CONEDITION · TRAININGREV · 0MSC FORM 2189-TTC

BACKGROUND PHOTO — NASA / JSC · 2019E035230 · RESTORED APOLLO MISSION CONTROL (opens in a new tab)