Amazon has announced that they will be constructing a satellite processing center at Kennedy Space Center to prepare satellites for launch in support of the Kuiper broadband satellite service. The facility is scheduled to be completed in 2025, a quick turnaround time to support the nearly 3200 commercial satellite being launched over the next few years. While the article does not particularly mention cyber security or security in general, this new facility and the Kuiper satellites pose interesting questions to cyber security. The largest of these is the need for amazon to use a third party integration facility until this is complete in order to make the 2026 deadline given by the FCC in order to keep their license. This poses a multitude of security concerns if not properly vetted, and means that until the new facility is underway amazon must rely on the cyber security practices of not only their own employees but of this third party integrator. Another concern is the very tight timeline for these satellites from initial production to launch. As cyber security is oftentimes overlooked or saved for last, I am hopeful that this is not the case for these valuable communications assets, and that corners are not cut during the assembly of these satellites.

Amazon picks Kennedy Space Center for Project Kuiper processing facility – SpaceNews