Autors: Doynov, R. G., Sharabov, M. Z., Tsochev, G. R., Ayed S.
Title: Artificial Intelligence in Satellite Network Defense: Architectures, Threats, and Security Protocols †
Keywords: artificial intelligence, ddos, jamming, orbits, space security, spoofing

Abstract: This paper examines the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect satellite communication networks, focusing on the identification and prevention of cyber threats. With the rapid development of the commercial space sector, the importance of effective cyber defense has grown due to the increasing dependence of global infrastructure on satellite technologies. The study applies a structured comparative analysis of AI methods across three main satellite architectures: geostationary (GEO), low Earth orbit (LEO), and hybrid systems. The methodology is based on guiding research question and evaluates representative AI algorithms in the context of specific threat scenarios, including jamming, spoofing, DDoS attacks, and signal interception. Real-world cases such as the KA-SAT AcidRain attack and reported Starlink jamming in Ukraine, as well as experimental demonstrations of RL-based anti-jamming and GNN/DQN routing, are used to provide evidence of practical applicability. The results highlight both the potential and limitations of AI solutions, showing measurable improvements in detection accuracy, throughput, latency reduction, and resilience under interference. Architectural approaches for integrating AI into satellite security are presented, and their effectiveness, trade-offs, and deployment feasibility are discussed.

References

  1. Khan S.K. Shiwakoti N. Diro A. Molla A. Gondal I. Warren M. Space cybersecurity challenges, mitigation techniques, anticipated readiness, and future directions Int. J. Crit. Infrastruct. Prot. 2024 47 100724 10.1016/j.ijcip.2024.100724
  2. Kang M. Park S. Lee Y. A Survey on Satellite Communication System Security Sensors 2024 24 2897 10.3390/s24092897
  3. Darwish T. Kurt G.K. Yanikomeroglu H. Bellemare M. Lamontagne G. LEO Satellites in 5G and Beyond Networks: A Review From a Standardization Perspective IEEE Access 2022 10 35040 35060 10.1109/ACCESS.2022.3162243
  4. Zhang L. Wu S. Lv X. Jiao J. A Two-Step Handover Strategy for GEO/LEO Heterogeneous Satellite Networks Based on Multi-Attribute Decision Making Electronics 2022 11 795 10.3390/electronics11050795
  5. Li G. Li T. Yue X. Hou T. Dai B. High Reliable Uplink Transmission Methods in GEO–LEO Heterogeneous Satellite Network Appl. Sci. 2023 13 8611 10.3390/app13158611
  6. Lv W. Yang P. Ding Y. Wang Z. Lin C. Wang Q. Energy-Efficient and QoS-Aware Computation Offloading in GEO/LEO Hybrid Satellite Networks Remote. Sens. 2023 15 3299 10.3390/rs15133299
  7. Kapsis T.T. Lyras N.K. Panagopoulos A.D. Optimal Power Allocation in Optical GEO Satellite Downlinks Using Model-Free Deep Learning Algorithms Electronics 2024 13 647 10.3390/electronics13030647
  8. Choi H. Pack S. Cooperative Downloading for LEO Satellite Networks: A DRL-Based Approach Sensors 2022 22 6853 10.3390/s22186853
  9. Xia L. Lin B. Zhao S. Zhao Y. A Centralized–Distributed Joint Routing Algorithm for LEO Satellite Constellations Based on Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning Appl. Sci. 2025 15 4664 10.3390/app15094664
  10. Shi Y. Wang W. Zhu X. Zhu H. Low Earth Orbit Satellite Network Routing Algorithm Based on Graph Neural Networks and Deep Q-Network Appl. Sci. 2024 14 3840 10.3390/app14093840
  11. Tirmizi S.B.R. Chen Y. Lakshminarayana S. Feng W. Khuwaja A.A. Hybrid Satellite–Terrestrial Networks toward 6G: Key Technologies and Open Issues Sensors 2022 22 8544 10.3390/s22218544 36366243
  12. Diro A. Kaisar S. Vasilakos A.V. Anwar A. Nasirian A. Olani G. Anomaly detection for space information networks: A survey of challenges, techniques, and future directions Comput. Secur. 2024 139 103705 10.1016/j.cose.2024.103705
  13. Zhuo M. Liu L. Zhou S. Tian Z. Survey on security issues of routing and anomaly detection for space information networks Sci. Rep. 2021 11 1 18 10.1038/s41598-021-01638-z
  14. Ali M.L. Thakur K. Schmeelk S. Debello J. Dragos D. Deep Learning vs. Machine Learning for Intrusion Detection in Computer Networks: A Comparative Study Appl. Sci. 2025 15 1903 10.3390/app15041903
  15. Smith E. Implementing Cybersecurity Solutions for Space Network Protection Available online: https://csiac.dtic.mil/articles/implementing-cybersecurity-solutions-for-space-network-protection/ (accessed on 12 June 2025)
  16. Wang Z. Cao J. Di X. Anomaly detection method for satellite networks based on genetic optimization federated learning Expert Syst. Appl. 2025 295 128627 10.1016/j.eswa.2025.128627
  17. Driouch O. Bah S. Guennoun Z. CANSat-IDS: An adaptive distributed Intrusion Detection System for satellites, based on combined classification of CAN traffic Comput. Secur. 2024 146 104033 10.1016/j.cose.2024.104033
  18. Le H.D. Park M. Enhancing Multi-Class Attack Detection in Graph Neural Network through Feature Rearrangement Electronics 2024 13 2404 10.3390/electronics13122404
  19. Azar A.T. Shehab E. Mattar A.M. Hameed I.A. Elsaid S.A. Deep Learning Based Hybrid Intrusion Detection Systems to Protect Satellite Networks J. Netw. Syst. Manag. 2023 31 82 10.1007/s10922-023-09767-8
  20. Jiang C. Wang X. Wang J. Chen H.H. Ren Y. Security in Space Information Networks IEEE Commun. Mag. 2015 53 82 88 10.1109/MCOM.2015.7180512
  21. Chen Q. Wang Z. Chen X. Wen J. Zhou D. Ji S. Sheng M. Huang K. Space–Ground Fluid AI for 6G Edge Intelligence Engineering 2025 54 14 19 10.1016/j.eng.2025.06.009
  22. Starlink and Other LEO Constellations Face a New Set of Security Risks Available online: https://spectrum.ieee.org/satellite-jamming (accessed on 4 May 2025)
  23. Jeon S. Kwak J. Choi J.P. Advanced Multibeam Satellite Network Security with Encryption and Beamforming Technologies Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops) Seoul, Republic of Korea 16–20 May 2022 1177 1182
  24. Jenkins C. Vugrin E. Manickam I. Krakowiak S. Richard G.B. Hazelbaker J. Troutman N. Maxwell J. Moving Target Defense for Space Systems Proceedings of the Malware Technical Exchange Meeting Albuquerque, New Mexico 13–15 July 2021
  25. Ahmad I. Suomalainen J. Porambage P. Gurtov A. Huusko J. Höyhtyä M. Satellite-Terrestrial Integrated Networks: Architecture, Security Challenges, and Solutions IEEE Netw. 2019 33 22 28 10.36227/techrxiv.20254605.v1
  26. Luo P. Wang B. Tian J. Liu C. Yang Y. Adversarial Attacks against Deep-Learning-Based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Unsupervised Anomaly Detection Models in the Context of Air Traffic Management Sens. 2024 24 3584 10.3390/s24113584 38894375
  27. Falco G. Cybersecurity Principles for Space Systems J. Aerosp. Inf. Syst. 2019 16 61 70 10.2514/1.I010693
  28. Maple C. Epiphaniou G. Hathal W. Atmaca U.I. Sheik A.T. Cruickshank H. Falco G. The Impact of Message Encryption on Teleoperation for Space Applications Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO) Big Sky, MT, USA 5–12 March 2022 1 10 10.1109/AERO53065.2022.9843424
  29. Zhan Y. Zeng G. Pan X. Networked TT&C for mega satellite constellations: A security perspective China Commun. 2022 19 58 76 10.23919/jcc.2022.09.006

Issue

Engineering Proceedings, vol. 121, 2026, Switzerland, https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2025121007

Вид: статия в списание, публикация в реферирано издание, индексирана в Scopus