# Cyber Resilience Limitations in Space Systems Design Process: Insights from Space Designers
## 3 Methods
### Participants  
The study employed specific inclusion criteria for participants. Our target was thirty experts from the space systems design domain, holding key roles such as space systems engineers, mission designers, or cybersecurity experts involved in space projects. Participants were also expected to have practical experience working on real space projects, as their insights were essential for understanding the challenges and complexities in designing cyber-resilient space infrastructure. Additionally, participants' roles required knowledge of cybersecurity in space systems design. Notably, the participants are also stakeholders in this research outcome, as the findings directly impact their work in developing and securing space systems. Therefore, their involvement ensured that the study not only captured expert insights but also addressed the practical needs and concerns of those responsible for implementing the recommendations. The vital inclusion criteria were as follows:  
* Participants must be from the space engineering domain, holding roles such as project or program managers, systems engineers, mission designers, testers, or cybersecurity experts.
* Participants must have practical experience working on complex projects, as their hands-on knowledge is crucial to understanding the challenges and intricacies of designing cyber-resilient infrastructure.  
Table 1 presents a summary of the final participants.  
The study ensured all participants received an emailed version of the Participant Information Statement and Consent Form (PISCF). Participants who chose to participate were required to provide their consent through one of the following methods:  
* They could return the consent form via email after affixing an e-signature.
* Alternatively, participants could confirm their consent by replying to the email, indicating that they had read the participant information statement and agreed to participate in the research. For instance, the study advised participants to copy and paste the consent declaration into their reply email.  
Throughout the interview, the researcher clearly explained the study's purpose, scope, and potential implications, emphasising the research's focus on cyber resilience in space systems design. Furthermore, participants were asked for their verbal agreement with the PISCF at the beginning of the interview.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l l l l} \hline \hline
**Role** & **No. of Participants** & **Sector** & \begin{tabular}{l} **Average Experience** \\ **(Years)** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline Lead Engineers & 4 & \begin{tabular}{l} Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace, Consulting \\ Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace, Consulting \\ \end{tabular} & 18+ \\ Architects & 3 & \begin{tabular}{l} Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace, Consulting \\ \end{tabular} & 20+ \\ Testers & 2 & \begin{tabular}{l} Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace \\ \end{tabular} & 12+ \\ Aerospace Engineers & 4 & \begin{tabular}{l} Aerospace \\ Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace, Consulting \\ \end{tabular} & 10+ \\ Cybersecurity Experts & 4 & \begin{tabular}{l} Aerospace, Consulting \\ \end{tabular} & 15+ \\ Cyber Governance & 4 & \begin{tabular}{l} Aerospace, Consulting \\ Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace \\ \end{tabular} & 14+ \\ Technical Project & 2 & \begin{tabular}{l} Defence Industry, \\ Aerospace \\ \end{tabular} & 20+ \\ Systems Engineers & 4 & \
\begin{tabular}{l} Government Agency \\ \end{tabular} & 20+ \\ DevSecOps Engineers & 2 &
\begin{tabular}{l} Government Agency \\ \end{tabular} & 10+ \\ Space Lawyer & 1 & Consulting & 15+ \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: Summary of roles, participant count, sector, and average experience in space-related cybersecurity and engineering projects.