Clarke Case Study & Project Proposal for ISRO

Client Overview

Agency: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Domain: Satellite Launch, Deep Space Missions, Strategic Communication, Remote Sensing

Headquarters: Bengaluru, India

Key Stakeholders:

– Director – ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network)

– Director – IN-SPACe, NSIL, Antrix

– Mission Control and Deep Space Network Heads (e.g., Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan)

– Directorate of Technical and Safety Review (DTSR)

– Director – SATCOM Policy & Satellite Payloads

– DRDO and National Security Liaison Units (ISRO–DoS–NTRO synergy)

Key Security Challenges Identified

• Live telemetry, launch sequence data, and mission uplinks during PSLV, GSLV, and SSLV launches must be encrypted against signal spoofing, foreign interception, or internal leakage.

• Ground station networks across Sriharikota, Hassan, Lucknow, Port Blair, and Mauritius face risks of cyber intrusion, especially during inter-agency data sharing with IN-SPACe and private launch partners.

• Remote sensing satellites (CartoSat, RISAT, Oceansat) collect geostrategic data and are vulnerable to unauthorized access and transmission rerouting.

• Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan missions include critical human crew health data, AI-based simulations, and spaceflight logs requiring HIPAA-like encryption and AI IP protection.

• ISRO is now part of growing dual-use, defense-adjacent collaboration with DRDO and armed forces — necessitating classified-grade, real-time encryption infrastructure.

Next Steps

We recommend a Joint Working Group Session with:

• ISTRAC Encryption and Mission Control Teams

• HSFC (Human Space Flight Centre) Medical & Simulation Officers

• NSIL & IN-SPACe Commercial Payload Heads

• Data Policy & Security Representatives from DoS and DRDO

• CERT-In Liaison for National Cybersecurity

Submitted by:

Sarv Singh

Founder & CEO – Clarke Technologies Private Limited