NASA has developed a technology based on a distributed digital log to increase the security of aviation data in the face of increasing cyber threats. This data includes flight plans, aircraft registration information, tracking and telemetry data, and is essential to maintaining airspace safety.
Although current security systems are successful in securing this data, distributed digital ledger technology provides an additional layer of security. This technology works as a shared and decentralized database, which means that no single party controls the information. With each update, data is recorded, reviewed, and made available only to authorized parties, reducing the chances of hacking or tampering.
To test the idea in practice, the research team used an Alta-X drone equipped with an internal computer, communications system, GPS, and battery, while setting up a ground station to simulate real-life flight conditions. Through these experiments, the system has proven its ability to enhance the level of safety in airspace management operations.
In the same context, NASA sees the possibility of expanding the use of this technical framework to support flight operations at altitudes exceeding 60,000 feet, in addition to air mobility projects within cities.
However, researchers continue to analyze the results of current tests in preparation for applying the technology to new generations of aerial vehicles.
