Fundamentals of Space Cybersecurity
BASIC DATA
course listing
A - main register
course code
ITC1702
course title in Estonian
Kosmose küberturbe alused
course title in English
Fundamentals of Space Cybersecurity
course volume CP
-
ECTS credits
6.00
to be declared
yes
fully online course
not
assessment form
Graded assessment
teaching semester
spring
language of instruction
Estonian
English
Study programmes that contain the course
code of the study programme version
course compulsory
IVCM25/26
no
Structural units teaching the course
IT - Department of Software Science
Course description link
Timetable link
View the timetable
Version:
VERSION SPECIFIC DATA
course aims in Estonian
Õppeaine eesmärk on anda üliõpilastele teadmised kosmose füüsilistest omadustest ning selles keskkonnas tegutsemisega seotud väljakutsetest. Aine hõlmab erinevat tüüpi kasutusel olevate satelliitide ja nende orbiidiomaduste selgitamist. Tutvustatakse digitaalse side meetodeid, nende loomupäraseid haavatavusi ning leevendusstrateegiaid. Käsitletakse kosmosevaldkonna ohumaastikku ning riskide maandamise võimalusi.
Üliõpilased külastavad ka TalTechi satelliidi maajaama ning tutvuvad selle rolliga Eesti satelliidiprogrammis. Õppeaine aitab kujundada arusaama oskustest, mida on vaja töötamiseks organisatsioonides, mis tegutsevad kosmosetööstuses, ning panustada maa-, side- ja kosmosesegmentide küberturvalisusesse.
course aims in English
This course aims to provide students with a knowledge of the physical properties of space and the challenges of operating in this environment. This will include an explanation of the different types of satellites that are deployed and their orbital characteristics. The methods of digital communication will be explained with their inherent vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies. The threat landscape of the space domain will be explored and how risks can be mitigated.
Students will also visit TalTech’s satellite ground station and learn about it role in Estonia’s satellite programme. Students will gain an appreciation of the skills required to work in organisations that are involved in the space industry and contribute to the cybersecurity of ground, link and space segments.
learning outcomes in the course in Est.
Õppeaine läbinud üliõpilane:
- määratleb kosmosekeskkonna füüsikalised omadused ja seal tegutsemisega seotud väljakutsed;
- kirjeldab erinevaid satelliitide tegevusi, sh kosmosekommunikatsiooni;
- kasutab uurimismetoodikaid, et selgitada kosmose küberturbe unikaalseid omadusi;
- rakendab kehtivat doktriini, et mõista ja selgitada kosmose militariseerimist ning praeguseid kosmoseoperatsioone;
- kirjeldab teadaolevaid kriminaalse tegevuse näiteid, mis on mõjutanud kosmoseoperatsioone;
- analüüsib küberturbe leevendusstrateegiaid, et vähendada riske kosmoseoperatsioonidele.
learning outcomes in the course in Eng.
After completing this course the student:
- identifies the physical properties and challenges of operating in the space environment;
- describes the different types of satellite operations including space communications;
- employs research methodologies to explain the unique features of space cybersecurity;
- utilises current doctrine to understand and explain the militarisation of space and current space operations;
- describes known examples of criminal activities that have impacted space operations;
- analyzes cybersecurity mitigation strategies to reduce the risk to space operations.
brief description of the course in Estonian
Aine suurendab teadlikkust ühiskonna sõltuvusest kosmosetehnoloogiatest ning rõhutab vajadust tagada pidev ja turvaline juurdepääs kosmoseteenustele, - võimekustele ja -väärtustele. Aine hõlmab kosmosega seotud tegevuste arengu mõistmist, nendega seotud ohtude ja haavatavuste käsitlemist ning ülevaadet allikatest, mis pakuvad teavet kosmoseküberturvalisuse küsimuste kohta.

2019. aasta novembris tegi NATO avalduse, et kosmost peetakse operatiivvaldkonnaks, mis aitab tagada ühtse lähenemisviisi kosmose integreerimisele NATO heidutus- ja kaitsepositsiooniga. Õppeaine eesmärk on anda üliõpilastele teadmised kosmosekeskkonna ainulaadsetest omadustest ning sellest, kuidas küberturvalisus erineb teistest keskkondadest.

Kuna kosmos on lahutamatu osa infoturbe keskkonnast, toob kursus esile tööriistad, mis on saadaval praegustele ja võimalikele ohtudele reageerimiseks. See eeldab arusaamist mõistetest nagu kosmose roll kriiside või konfliktide ajal ja sellest, kuidas ohte saab heidutada või nende vastu kaitsta. Ohtude, haavatavuste ja leevendusstrateegiate selgitamine on vajalik, et tagada kosmose süsteemide vastupidavus ja ellujäämisvõime.
brief description of the course in English
It will raise the awareness of society’s reliance on space and the importance of maintaining continuous and secure access to the space services, capabilities and effects. This will involve understanding the evolution of space-related activities and their related threats and vulnerabilities and resources that provide information on space cybersecurity issues.

In November 2019, NATO declared space as an operational domain, which will help to ensure a coherent approach to the integration of space into NATO’s overall deterrence and defence posture. This course aims to provide students with a knowledge of the unique attributes of the space environment and how cybersecurity differs from that in other environments.

As space is an integral part of the information environment, this course will highlight the the tools that are available to respond to the current and possible threats. This will require and understanding of the concepts such as the role of space in crisis or conflict and how threats can be detered or defended against. Threats, vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies will be explained to ensure the resilience and survivability of space systems.
type of assessment in Estonian
Üliõpilased peavad iseseisvalt läbi viima 20 minutilise loengu, ning kirjutama 2000 sõnalise essee teemal
kas „Kosmose füüsilised omadused“ või „Kosmose küberturbe raskused“.
type of assessment in English
Students will be required to individually present a 20 minute lecture and write a 2000 word essay on an aspect of either the "Physical Properties of Space" or "A Space Cybersecurity Issue".
independent study in Estonian
Üliõpilased peavad individuaalselt uurima kosmosekeskkonna füüsikalisi omadusi ja kosmosevarade toimimist ähvardavaid ohte.
independent study in English
Students will be required to individually research the physical properties of the space environment and threats to the operation of space assets.
study literature
Jacob G Oakley, Cybersecurity for Space, Apress. ISBN 978-1-4842-5732-6

Study literature will be shared through the Moodle environment.
Enrolment key: ToBoldlyGoWhereNoStudentHasGoneBefore
study forms and load
daytime study: weekly hours
3.0
session-based study work load (in a semester):
lectures
3.0
lectures
-
practices
0.0
practices
-
exercises
0.0
exercises
-
lecturer in charge
Adrian Nicholas Venables, vanemlektor (IT - tarkvarateaduse instituut)
type (CBL/PBL)
not specified
LECTURER SYLLABUS INFO
semester of studies
teaching lecturer / unit
language of instruction
Extended syllabus
2026/2027 spring
Adrian Nicholas Venables, IT - Department of Software Science
English
    Course description in Estonian
    Course description in English