Via Satellite/Freepik illustration

Mynaric will use cybersecurity tools developed by Redwire and BigBear.ai for its optical communications terminal for the Space-BACN program. Redwire and BigBear.ai developed the (SpaceCREST) platform — Space Cyber Resiliency through Evaluation and Security Testing — to support the cybersecurity evaluation for Mynaric’s optical communications terminal. Redwire announced the deal Tuesday. 

Space-BACN is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) program exploring interoperable technologies to create new datalinks between satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). In Phase 1, contractors Mynaric, CACI International, and MBRYONICS have been tasked with developing an optical aperture that can put light into single-mode fiber to support high-speed communications of up to 100 Gbps.

Redwire said SpaceCREST can streamline cybersecurity analysis of space assets to make them more reliable. It enables users to simulate hardware and software systems as they are being designed and built. Redwire and BigBear.ai signed an agreement in October 2021 to collaborate on the product. 

“Redwire is proud to support Mynaric in identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities within crucial national security programs,” said Dean Bellamy, Redwire’s executive vice president of National Security Space. “This application of SpaceCREST demonstrates the value that Redwire and BigBear.ai’s collaboration holds for the growing space economy. SpaceCREST will be a critical tool for proactive maintenance and protection of government and commercial customers building the next generation of resilient space architectures.”