Security Authentication Scheme for Low Earth Orbit Satellites Based on Spatial Channel Characteristics

Security authentication can effectively solve the problem of access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. However, the existing solutions still harbor some problems in the computational complexity of satellite authentication, flexible networking, resistance to brute force attacks and other aspects. So, a security authentication scheme for LEO satellites that integrates spatial channel characteristics is designed within the software defined network architecture. In this scheme, the spatial channel characteristics are introduced to the subsequent lightweight encryption algorithm to achieve effective defense against brute force attacks. According to security analysis and simulation results, the scheme can effectively reduce the computational overhead while protecting against replay attacks, brute force attacks, DOS attacks, and other known attacks.

I. Introduction

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication has attracted widespread attention because it provides facilities to make communications as broad as possible. However, there is a significant time delay in communication because of the long distances between satellites. Moreover, the frequent changes in satellite topology make spatial network management extremely difficult. Traditional technologies are not well adapted to the difficulties of the spatial network [1]. So, several schemes have been introduced to LEO satellite communication to solve these problems, in which the Software Defined Network (SDN) spatial network has received broad concern. It enables flexible resources allocation of the network by separating the control plane of network devices from the data plane [2]. In order to provide secure network services, it is important to deploy a secure authentication scheme for SDN spatial networks.