2023 Honors Program Theses
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Browsing 2023 Honors Program Theses by Author "Dr. Jonathan Lewallen"
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Item Cybersecurity Network Analysis for Spacefaring Nations(Honors Program, The University of Tampa, 2023-04) Marolf, Lauren; Dr. Jonathan LewallenWithin the next ten years, satellites in orbit are estimated to increase from 5,500 to over 58,000. The nearly tenfold increase is due to increased reliance on satellites for providing broadband internet access, collecting information, and combating climate change. Sixty-three countries own or operate satellites currently in orbit but only ten of those countries possess launch capabilities. Such a concentration of capacity and resources results in bilateral country relationships and dependence. Cybersecurity is unique as we analyze its role in international relations because, by nature, bilateral relationships are not exclusive. Almost all commercial satellites broadcast their signals, creating open access to anyone in the world through radio wave frequencies. Analyzing relational patterns between spacefaring nations provides insight into whether cybersecurity is a factor in launch dependencies. Do countries capable of launching satellites have better cybersecurity capacity? If so, is cybersecurity a consideration in international cooperation decisions about where a satellite will be launched? In this paper I use network analysis to map bilateral satellite owner-launcher relationships. Using data from the International Telecommunication Union’s Global Cybersecurity Index, I cite countries’ cybersecurity scores in reference to the model. Regression analyses indicate that satellite launching relationships depend on adequate cybersecurity measures in both the launcher and satellite owner countries. This study offers a way to analyze flows of influence among states with satellites in orbit through highlighting the importance of cybersecurity. I conclude by proposing international frameworks for assessing research gaps and other features of relationships in space-based system cybersecurity.