Cybersecurity in satellite systems

*Please note that the ISC website will be available on *June 4, 2026* at 10:30am EST.*

This Challenge Notice is issued under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program (ISC) Call for Proposals 004 (EN578-24ISC4). For general ISC information, Offerors can visit the ISC website at: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/101.nsf/eng/home

Please refer to the Solicitation Documents Innovative Solutions Canada Program Call for Proposals – 004 - Tender Notice | CanadaBuys https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-3… which contains the process for submitting a proposal.

Steps to apply:
Step 1: Read this challenge.
Step 2: Read the Call for Proposals : https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/cb-3…
Step 3: Propose your solution here : https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/innovative-solutions-canada/en/cyberse…

Cybersecurity in satellite systems

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are seeking innovative research and development (R&D) solutions to provide a flat satellite (flatsat) platform for cybersecurity experimentations.

Challenge sponsor: Department of National Defense (DND)

Funding mechanism: Contract

Opening date: June 4th 2026

Closing date: July 2th, 2026

Here are a few things you need to know before you get started on your application to this challenge:
1. This challenge is only open to receive proposals for Phase 2 (prototype development) of our Challenge Stream. Proposed solutions that fall within technology readiness level (TRL) 5 and 9 can be submitted to this challenge.
2. We recently made changes to the Challenge Stream, we have outlined the new parameters
3. Read through the official solicitation documents
4. To read the tender notice for this specific challenge, refer to Tender Notice | CanadaBuys

Challenge

Problem Statement

Modern defence activities require the ability to collect, synthesize, and distribute large volumes of data from diverse sources to ensure domain awareness and effective command and control. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations are envisioned to fulfill these requirements by enabling Hybrid Space Networks (HSNs) with high throughput, low latency, and global coverage. The HSN must be responsive across layers to transport data through different network segments and meet dynamic traffic demands. Of particular importance is HSN architectural robustness and resilience under dynamic traffic load and segment failure conditions.

This challenge focuses on the creation of a laboratory-based 'flatsat' platform—a ground-based satellite designed to integrate critical satellite subsystems and enable controlled cybersecurity experimentation. The goal is to support the design, testing, and validation of secure satellite software and hardware architectures and cyber defense mechanisms. To support the widest range of cybersecurity experimentation, the flatsat should integrate as many and type-diverse payloads as possible, as opposed to common satellites which carry only one or two payloads (communication, remote observation, navigation, scientific measurements, weather and meteorology, any other type-specific payload or combination thereof).

Desired outcomes and considerations

Essential (mandatory) outcomes

The proposed solution must:
1. Utilize subsystems that replicate the full and proven functionality of those used in operational satellites. At a minimum, the subsystems must include at least two (2) payloads, one payload being communications that is accessible via a wired interface;
2. Measure no more than 2.5m x 2.5m of laboratory floor space;
3. Feature a hardware layout that allows for a single technician plug&play connection of cyber instrumentation, such as oscilloscopes or other signal analyzers, and testing;
4. Include a telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) module accessible via a wired interface
5. Implement a modular, reconfigurable and reprogrammable software architecture that supports software/firmware patching and hardware component replacement
6. Provide administrative capabilities for health monitoring, bus input/output, configuration, and secure software updates via a wired interface
7. Explore security architecture concepts for hardening hybrid space networks (e.g., trust models, segmentation approaches, resilient network security design, secure cross-segment integration concepts)
8. Provide remote-access environment to support cybersecurity competitions and training exercises (e.g., controlled user access, scenario orchestration, safe experimentation, instrumented telemetry for learning and validation)

Additional outcomes

The proposed solution should:
1. Develop and demonstrate novel cybersecurity protection mechanisms.
2. Utilize more than two (2) payloads, with each additional payload adding to the innovation and technical merit of the proposal by increasing realism and expanding the cybersecurity validation space.

Background and context

The Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are seeking innovative research and development (R&D) solutions with the goal of advancing future Hybrid Space Networks (HSNs) to provide a secure and resilient information eco-system. As these HSNs will integrate communications, sensing, and command and control capabilities, the end-to-end cybersecurity will be key in providing secure operations and information flows to, from and between space-based and ground-based nodes.

Cybersecurity necessitates hands-on experimentation done on the real systems. However, for operational military space systems, it is rarely possible to perform hands-on cyber experiments because there is usually only one instance of each system and it is impossible to put them offline for the time of the experimentation. The creation of a laboratory-based flatsat platform designed for cybersecurity closes that gap.

Maximum contract value and travel

Multiple contracts could result from this Challenge.

Phase 2
• The maximum funding available for any Phase 2 contract resulting from this Challenge is : $2,000,000.00 CAD excluding applicable taxes, shipping, travel and living expenses, as required.
• The maximum duration for any Phase 2 contract resulting from this Challenge is up to 20 months (excluding submission of the final report).
• Estimated number of Phase 2 contracts: 2

This disclosure is made in good faith and does not commit Canada to award any contract for the total approximate funding. Final decisions on the number of Phase 2 awards will be made by Canada on the basis of factors such as evaluation results, departmental priorities and availability of funds. Canada reserves the right to make partial awards and to negotiate project scope changes.

Note: Selected companies are eligible to receive one contract per phase per challenge.

Travel

Travel anticipated to DRDC Valcartier for initial kickoff, at the mid-project and at the end for delivery and training.