Photo: SpiderOak

SpiderOak has demonstrated its OrbitSecure cybersecurity software in space on a Ball Aerospace prototype payload, the company announced June 22. 

The OrbitSecure cybersecurity software uses encryption and distributed-ledger software to operate a decentralized key management system. The software has been tested on the ground, but this was the first test in space. The prototype payload launched in January as the first mission in Ball Aerospace’s rideshare program. SpiderOak and Ball Aerospace collaborated to integrate the software and demonstrate it on the Ball hosted payload while on orbit. 

Achieving flight heritage is a milestone for SpiderOak. Jake Sauer, vice president and chief technologist of Ball Aerospace called it a step toward “fortifying the resilience of our space ecosystem.”

“This successful demonstration completes a major milestone in advancing OrbitSecure as the satellite operator’s choice for data security and resiliency in space,” said Dave Pearah, CEO of SpiderOak. “While other cyber solutions have only been demonstrated terrestrially, this achievement with Ball Aerospace proves our unique COTS (commercial off the shelf) software works equally well on orbit as it has on the ground for many years.”