#United States #Seattle #D-Orbit #Satellite Security #Anvil Secure

Anvil Secure and D-Orbit Team Up on Satellite Cybersecurity

In an age where the commercial space industry is rapidly evolving, the significance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. Anvil Secure, a well-respected cybersecurity consultancy, has partnered with D-Orbit, a prominent player in space logistics and orbital transportation, to publish a critical white paper that examines how cybersecurity principles are integrated into the entire satellite mission cycle.

The collaboration between these two industry leaders underscores a growing recognition of cybersecurity as an essential component within the expanding domain of commercial space ventures. The white paper, titled "Knockin' on Space's Door," serves as a comprehensive guide for small-satellite manufacturers, providing insights into best practices for securing their systems from the ground up.

At the core of this white paper lies a focus on D-Orbit's ION Satellite Carrier, the company's innovative orbital transfer vehicle that not only deploys small satellites into precise orbits but also accommodates hosted payloads and performs in-orbit experiments. As the Director of Technical Operations at Anvil Secure, Alberto Volpatto explains, "Space programs have always prioritized safety and reliability. This work is about making cybersecurity just as routine, so product teams can focus on the controls that matter most."

The report outlines three essential areas under manufacturers' direct control: securing radio communications, safely managing hosted payloads, and maintaining firmware integrity from the construction phase through to orbit deployment. For each of these areas, the paper provides practical mitigations such as communication encryption, payload validation, and safeguards to prevent hardware tampering.

Davide Avanzi, Head of Space Product Security at D-Orbit, emphasizes the importance of the ION platform’s flexibility, stating, "We have invested in processes that protect the platform while enabling hosted payloads and in-orbit experimentation. Our partnership with Anvil reflects a shared commitment to integrating rigorous cybersecurity measures into every phase of satellite operations."

This white paper's timely release coincides with the upcoming Security for Space Systems (3S) conference set to take place at ESTEC in the Netherlands from November 4th to 6th, 2025. During this landmark event, D-Orbit will co-host the first European in-orbit capture-the-flag competition alongside the mhackeroni team, backed by the ESA Security Cyber Centre of Excellence and the ESA Security Office. This competition aims to challenge participants to identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities in satellite systems, reflecting the content of the newly released white paper.

Anvil Secure, known for its tailored solutions aimed at bolstering organizational resilience against cyber threats, brings considerable expertise to this collaboration. With specialized knowledge in penetration testing, cloud security, and embedded systems security, Anvil provides clients with the tools necessary to fortify their defenses in a landscape where cyber threats continue to become more sophisticated.

Meanwhile, D-Orbit stands at the forefront of space logistics, having pioneered methods to efficiently deploy small satellites and support edge-computing applications. Established in 2011, D-Orbit is recognized as the first certified B-Corp in the space sector, operating out of Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The publication of this white paper is not just a significant contribution to the cybersecurity field but also a call to action for all stakeholders in the aerospace community to prioritize the security of their systems as a non-negotiable aspect of their operations.

For those interested in delving deeper into the findings and recommendations detailed in the white paper, it is now available for download.**