Key Takeaways
- NASA is exploring the use of blockchain technology to secure flight data and protect air traffic management systems from cyber threats
- A recent drone flight test at NASA’s Ames Research Center demonstrated the effectiveness of a blockchain-based system in transmitting and storing flight data in real-time
- The system uses a decentralized database to share information across a network, ensuring that data remains safe, accurate, and trustworthy
- The technology has the potential to support high-altitude operations and Urban Air Mobility, paving the way for a more secure, scalable, and trusted ecosystem
- NASA researchers will continue to analyze the data gathered during the test and apply the lessons learned to future work, ultimately benefiting U.S. aviation stakeholders
Introduction to Blockchain Technology in Aviation
In an era where data security is critical to aviation safety, NASA is exploring bold new solutions to protect flight data and air traffic management systems from cyber threats. Through a drone flight test at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, researchers tested a blockchain-based system for protecting flight data. The system aims to keep air traffic management safe from disruption and protect data transferred between aircraft and ground stations from being intercepted or manipulated. For aviation and airspace operations to remain safe, users need to be able to trust that data is reliable and transparent.
The Need for New Approaches to Cybersecurity
While current systems have been able to protect flight data systems, cyber threats continue to evolve, requiring new approaches. NASA researchers found that the blockchain-based system can safely transmit and store information in real-time. Blockchain operates like a decentralized database — it does not rely on a single computer or centralized system. Instead, it shares information across a vast network, recording and verifying every change to a dataset. The system ensures that the data stays safe, accurate, and trustworthy. Previous cybersecurity research focused on implementing a layered security architecture — using multiple physical and digital security measures to control system access. For this test, researchers took a different approach using blockchain to address potential threats.
The Drone Flight Test
Using drones allowed the team to show that the blockchain framework could yield benefits across several priority areas in aviation development, including autonomous air traffic management, urban air mobility, and high-altitude aircraft. The team used an open-source blockchain framework that allows trusted users real-time sharing and storage of critical data like aircraft operator registration information, flight plans, and telemetry. This framework restricts access to this data to trusted parties and approved users only. To further examine system resilience, the team introduced a set of cybersecurity tests designed to assess, improve, and reinforce security during operations in airspace environments.
The Test Environment and Results
During an August flight at Ames, the team demonstrated these capabilities using an Alta-X drone with a custom-built software and hardware package that included a computer, radio, GPS system, and battery. The test simulated an environment with a drone flying in real-world conditions, complete with a separate ground control station and the blockchain and security infrastructure. The underlying blockchain framework and cybersecurity protocols can be extended to support high-altitude operations at 60,000 feet and higher and Urban Air Mobility operations, paving the way for a more secure, scalable, and trusted ecosystem. The test results showed that the blockchain-based system can effectively transmit and store flight data in real-time, ensuring the integrity and security of the data.
Future Work and Applications
NASA researchers will continue to look at the data gathered during the test and apply what they’ve learned to future work. The testing will ultimately benefit U.S. aviation stakeholders looking for new tools to improve operations. Through its Air Traffic Management and Safety project, NASA performed research to transform air traffic management systems to safely accommodate the growing demand of new air vehicles. The project falls under NASA’s Airspace Operations and Safety Program, a part of the agency’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate that works to enable safe, efficient aviation transportation operations that benefit the flying public and industry. The use of blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way flight data is secured and transmitted, and NASA’s research is an important step towards achieving this goal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NASA’s exploration of blockchain technology for securing flight data and air traffic management systems is a significant step towards improving aviation safety. The use of a decentralized database to share information across a network ensures that data remains safe, accurate, and trustworthy. The successful drone flight test demonstrated the effectiveness of the blockchain-based system, and the potential applications of this technology are vast. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the need for secure and efficient data transmission and storage will only continue to grow, making NASA’s research in this area increasingly important.
