Blockchain technology is the backbone of the growing BitTorrent (BTC) and Cryptocurrencies industry. Blockchain is a revolutionary way to store massive amounts of data – because it is held in multiple locations, the records it holds are truly public and easily verifiable. And now the technology’s most unexpected applications are starting to be explored.
The American space agency NASA is now looking into the benefits of blockchain technology.
NASA engineer Ronald Reisman believes that Blockchain-based communication systems could be the key to stopping abuse and denial-of-service attacks on the US air traffic control system.
The much-anticipated Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system is supposed to be operational in 2020, but Reisman believes the system is already at risk from cyberattacks.
ADS-B is a surveillance technology in which an aircraft determines its position through satellite navigation, thus allowing it to be tracked.
However, ADS-B does not provide flight plans and aircraft locations, which presents a number of problems.
And Blockchain technology could be the solution to these, NASA engineer Reisman believes.
NASA is reportedly preparing to use an open-source blocker for ADS-B vulnerabilities.
Blockchain technology could secure and improve communication between authorized agents and minimize the risk of tech criminals gaining easy access.
Reisman's proposal uses "certificate authority, smart contract support, and higher bandwidth communication channels" to ensure that communications between aircraft and agents, such as air traffic control, remain secure.
He said: “The system proposes using a blockchain called Hyperledger Fabric to demonstrate potential solutions to vexing technical issues that threaten the adoption of ADS-B by military, corporate and other aircraft operators who do not want their operations and movements to be perceived by the general public.”.
Hyperledger Fabric is a blockchain being developed and designed for professional use.
Furthermore, Reisman believes that the proposed blockchain prototype can be “expanded economically and quickly.”.
He says that the use of Hyperledger Fabric can be implemented in sectors outside the economy and believes that something similar could be used in the aviation industry.
Honeywell, a major aircraft parts manufacturer, is another industrial giant that has confidence in the role that Blockchain can play in the aerospace industry.
