Containerized Software Defined Networking for Satellite Communications

In the proposed effort, Cambrian adapts the software of a commercial, scalable, resilient, low-latency satellite communications subsystem for rapid introduction into the Small Satellite Industrial Base. This directly supports defense use by enabling USSF distributed, difficult-to-defeat, constellation capabilities in mission areas such as Satellite Communications (SATCOM), Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) services, Missile Defense and Tracking, Weather Services, and Strategic Communications. The primary problem that the Containerized Software Defined Network for SATCOM solution addresses is improving the ability to “fight SATCOM” with the rapid integration of new software-defined capability.  The adoption and rapid implementation of constellation networks will allow maintaining communications even in the face of adversary action, including mitigating Meaconing, Intrusion, Jamming, and Interference (MIJI). This challenge faces all SATCOM links, but especially “NewSpace” systems limited in size and power. This Direct to Phase II effort specifically complements Cambrian’s software defined networking developments by leveraging software containerization technology used for decades in the software industry to provide a safe and well-understood methodology to rapidly introduce new software functionality into already highly regulated and tested satellite flight software systems. Specifically, leveraging containerization, satellite providers can introduce new software without the need to re-write or integrate the new code into existing, proven software, while at the same time ensuring control of the new software’s resource utilization, access, and testing.  In short, this is essentially a modularization of the code that makes it possible to swap, update, and trust new code, even with advanced capabilities such as networked communications.  This is possible because already proven flight software maintains full control of the new code through control of the container and its interfaces. Hence, Cambrian has secured interest in this approach from at least four Small Satellite Industrial Base partners supporting SSC p-LEO mission development. This effort further meets DAF needs for the development of the USSF Small Satellite Industrial Base, thus directly advancing innovation in US small business manufacturing by enabling more satellite providers to participate. With a standardized approach to integrating new software, small satellite providers avoid custom and highly labor-intensive software revisions, updates, and distributions.  This enables adoption of new capabilities, and reduces a dramatic risk in a future where software defined systems are already beginning to dominate.  This is especially true for distributed, software enabled systems such as p-LEO constellations, for which the speed of software updates and cyber protection will determine the vulnerability to adversary software attacks and probes.