Charter Space is a startup company originally from London, UK, but is now in CA, USA. They have been developing a platform called Ubik, designed to manage and execute space programs throughout their lifespan. This includes project proposal, design, program management, and regulatory compliance tracking. The program aims to have a one-stop shop for all applications. This software has already attracted attention from NASA-JPL, Esper Satellite Imagery, and Arkisys.
While the one-stop shop provides a convenient way to propose, design, and manage a space project, it presents several pitfalls. First and foremost, Charter Space becomes a central node for cyber actors to target – much like SolarWinds. Secondly, any software calculations or LLM integration would be ripe targets for manipulation or data poisoning for various customers. Lastly, the centralization of the software creates a single point of failure that can negatively impact space programs through unplanned outages or crashes. The ability to execute these attack vectors will vary significantly based on a cyber actor’s skill, time, and toolset; yet with such a centralized system (which cybersecurity is assuredly not at the forefront of), it creates a target-rich environment that will need adequate security measures or some of the best insurance possible.
Article: Charter begins beta testing software platform – SpaceNews