Southwest Research Institute developed the micropatching algorithm illustrated here to improve the efficiency of over-the-air spacecraft software updates. The team successfully tested SwRI's micropatching software on an Axiom Space-operated computer on the ISS, uploading the patch via a telemetry network. The tool efficiently finds and patches software errors from failed updates and malicious attacks instead of replacing an entire file or operating system on bandwidth-limited space networks. Credit: Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute developed an algorithm to remotely update and repair spacecraft software using less time and data than conventional techniques.
The tool not only improves the overall efficiency of satellite software transmissions but also can recover data from failed over-the-air updates and malicious cyberattacks. It works by identifying missing bytes and other errors before deploying a custom "micropatch" to the damaged or missing software.
"Instead of updating an entire file or operating system, which is typically required with over-the-air satellite software updates, our tool can find and patch smaller errors," said Henry Haswell, a research engineer in SwRI's Intelligent Systems Division. Haswell will present a research paper titled "Secure Micropatching on the ISS" at DEF CON 31, August 10-13, in Las Vegas.
The researchers successfully deployed and tested the tool on the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25. SwRI worked with Axiom Space Inc. and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to upload and evaluate the micropatch technology on an Axiom Space-operated computer on the ISS. Axiom Space collaborated with AWS to bring this AWS Snowcone computer to the ISS as part of the Ax-1 mission.