Defending the Cosmos: Honeypot-based Adversary Detection and Emulation System (HADES)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/eccws.25.1.4647

Keywords:

Adversary Emulation, CubeSat Security, Satellite Honeypot, Satellite Security, Space Cybersecurity, Ground-Based Satellite Testbed

Abstract

This paper presents HADES (Honeypot-based Adversary Detection and Emulation System), a modular CubeHoneypot that is a ground-deployable cubesat-scale test bed honeypot architecture for cybersecurity research within space systems. Built using open-source technologies, including NASA’s Operational Simulator for Small Satellites (NOS3), NASA's core Flight System (cFS), NASA’s Open Mission Control Technologies (Open MCT) and the T-Pot honeypot platform, HADES emulates telemetry and command functions of real satellite subsystems. Unlike existing satellite honeypots, HADES is designed for both educational and adversary
behaviour research applications, enabling cost-effective experimentation and threat analysis in controlled, realistic environments. The paper outlines the design methodology, implementation stages, system components and early results from simulated attacks and telemetry operations.

Author Biographies

Arnold Chan, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia

Arnold Chan is an independent security researcher and founder of XCOM Space in Sydney, Australia.
He is advancing his expertise in space cybersecurity, focusing on adversary detection, cyber resilience and threat intelligence for space systems, while contributing to research on the intersection of cybersecurity, policy and safety in space exploration.

Sam Seo, Adelaide University, Mawson Lakes, Australia

Dr Sam Seo is a cybersecurity lecturer with deep expertise in data governance and emerging technologies. With a PhD focused on "Data Governance in Internet of Things," Sam brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience in cybersecurity, IoT, and data governance. His research centres on developing robust governance frameworks that ensure data security, privacy, and ethical usage in interconnected environments.
Before joining the University of South Australia, Sam led technical documentation teams and coordinated IT programs, demonstrating a strong commitment to education and industry collaboration. His experience also includes working extensively in Australian government agencies, providing in-depth insights into cybersecurity's critical role in the Australian government environment and framework development.
Sam is passionate about guiding the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and is actively involved in creating course materials that address the latest challenges in the field, including data governance, IoT security, and critical infrastructure. His work aims to prepare students for the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, focusing on practical problem-solving and policy awareness.

Ady James, Adelaide University, Mawson Lakes, Australia

Dr Ady James is an Associate Professor at Adelaide University, where he teaches and conducts research in Space Systems Engineering. He has worked as systems engineer on various space programs including Mars 96, Cluster II, XMM Newton, Solar-B, the ESA Euclid Mission and most recently the Kanyini spacecraft.

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Published

2026-06-15

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 1 (2026): The Proceedings of the 25th European Conference on Cyber Warfare & Security (ECCWS 2026)

Section

Academic Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2026 European Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.