Major comms to ground control

American space agency Nasa has taken the security of long-distance communications to a new level by using virtual private networks (VPNs) in space.

Using VPN servers from Check Point Software, Nasa has been able to maintain secure and reliable communications from Earth to its orbiting space station.

To communicate with spacecraft, Nasa uses a VoIP application that has up to 200 simultaneous users. Each user is able to run eight encrypted audio channels, with each channel using 32Kbps.

Data between Nasa's ground sites and the space station is encrypted and authenticated using Check Point's VPN-1 Pro software. VPN performance is then boosted using Check Point's SecureXL.

The VPN system forms part of the Internet Voice Distribution System (IVODS), developed by space flight engineers AZ Technology. It replaces an ageing conference system at the Marshall Space Flight Center. A pilot scheme began in March of this year.

Marshall ground staff are able to log into conferences directly, but Nasa was keen to allow access for users in different locations.

To achieve this, users are able to connect over the internet, via a VPN, using relatively cheap PCs with IVODS client software installed.

Being able to secure communications between spacecraft and Earth has been a priority for Nasa after it attracted hackers.

Five years ago, Nasa was the victim of a hack that put the lives of its astronauts at risk. A denial of service attack interfered with computer systems that monitor the heartbeat, pulse and medical condition of astronauts aboard the spacecraft.

Check Point and Nasa were contacted about these latest developments, but neither responded at the time of going to press.