OrbitalCyber

The RKE activity will be conducted through a structured two-phase approach aligned with value proposition development and market validation.

In the first phase, the project will refine the technical concept of OrbitalCyber by integrating supervised and unsupervised machine learning models for real-time detection of jamming and spoofing. Simulation-based environments and open datasets will be used to evaluate detection accuracy, responsiveness, and scalability.

In the second phase, the project will engage with satellite operators, ground-station providers, and space SMEs through interviews, workshops, and pilot testing. These activities will assess usability, operational relevance, and commercial viability.

Feedback will be used to refine system functionality, validate problem-solution fit, and identify deployment pathways. This iterative process ensures that the solution is technically robust, user-centred, and aligned with real-world operational needs.

OrbitalCyber has the potential to deliver significant impact beyond academia by enhancing the cyber resilience of satellite and space-enabled systems. By providing an affordable, AI-driven, software-based detection platform, the project will enable SMEs and emerging satellite operators to monitor and respond to jamming and spoofing threats in real time.

This can reduce service disruptions, improve operational reliability, and strengthen trust in satellite-dependent services across sectors such as transport, finance, energy, and emergency response.

The project will also contribute to UK national priorities in space security and infrastructure resilience, while supporting innovation and competitiveness within the space economy.

Commercially, the project creates opportunities for licensing, spin-out development, and industry partnerships, translating academic research into practical solutions with societal and economic benefits.

Read our recent news article: New AI Driven Project Strengthens Protection for UK Satellite and Navigation Systems 

Satellite communications are now critical to navigation, aviation, maritime operations, finance, energy systems, and emergency response. However, these systems are increasingly vulnerable to jamming and spoofing attacks, which can disrupt or manipulate signals, leading to service outages, safety risks, and economic losses. Recent reports indicate hundreds of thousands of GPS disruption events globally, while UK policy identifies satellite interference as a major threat to national resilience.

The challenge is particularly severe for SMEs and small satellite operators, who often lack the expertise and resources to detect such threats in real time. Existing solutions are typically hardware-intensive, costly, and slow to adapt, making them inaccessible and ineffective for many users. This creates an urgent need for affordable, scalable, and real-time detection solutions that can protect satellite operations, ensure service continuity, and strengthen the resilience of space-enabled infrastructure.

We anticipate confirming that jamming and spoofing are widespread but under-detected threats, particularly among SMEs and emerging satellite missions. The project is expected to reveal a strong demand for real-time, software-based detection solutions that are affordable and easy to deploy.

We also expect to identify key user requirements, including the need for automated monitoring, clear diagnostic insights, and low operational complexity. Early engagement with stakeholders will likely demonstrate that existing solutions do not adequately meet SME needs due to cost and technical barriers.

These findings matter because they will validate the market gap and commercial potential of OrbitalCyber, reduce uncertainty around adoption, and provide evidence for further development and investment. They will also inform system refinement, ensuring that the platform delivers practical value and supports real-world satellite operations.

The project brings together academics from both the University of Wolverhampton and University of Lancashire.

UK partners:

• University of Wolverhampton: Dr Md Arafatur Rahman
• Cardiff Metropolitan University: Dr Jasim Uddin

Dr Jasim Uddin said: “Satellite services are fundamental to how the UK functions, yet the threats they face are growing faster than many organisations can respond. OrbitalCyber is about giving operators the tools they need to detect and respond to interference quickly and confidently.”

Professor Md Arafatur Rahman added: “By using AI to provide real time, understandable insights rather than complex technical data, this project makes advanced satellite security achievable for organisations of all sizes.”