Key Generation for Secure Inter-satellite Communication

This paper addresses issues relating to the generation of secure encryption keys for use in inter-satellite communications operating in a low power environment. It introduces techniques which possess the potential to generate encryption keys based on properties or features directly associated with the actual satellites and thus removing the necessity for key storage. This research investigates constraints associated with ensuring secure inter-satellite communications for satellite constellations. The need for data sent to and from satellites to be secure and verified is substantial. Security can be improved by using encryption techniques based on keys, which are based on unique properties of the individual nodes within the satellite network. This will serve both to minimize the need for key sharing as well as to validate the initiator node of a message.