Next-Generation Hardware and Security Measures

The Space Development Agency’s (SDA’s) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) delivers critical capabilities for national security across its multiple layers. PWSA, however, faces significant challenges to its operational effectiveness, sustainability, and cybersecurity. Next-generation high-assurance Aerospace Vehicular Equipment (AVE) End Cryptographic Units (ECUs) are needed to reduce Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C), while operating for longer missions and in a wider range of orbits. At the same time, Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computers (CRQCs) will make existing ECUs obsolete, requiring new Cryptographic Modernization 2.0 (CM2) features like Quantum Resilient (QR) cryptologic and Key Management Infrastructure (KMI) interoperability. Furthermore, novel radiation effect mitigation technologies are available that can maintain low SWaP-C. Our effort provides these enhancements in resilience for PWSA through an enhancement of our Terrella AVE ECU hardware, software, and programmable logic.