A command path is the trusted route through which authorized operators send instructions to a spacecraft. It includes the communication links and ground systems involved in preparing, validating, and transmitting commands. A spacecraft may depend on this route for routine operations, configuration changes, or responses to changing conditions.
In cyber security, protecting the command path helps prevent unauthorized or altered instructions and supports reliable operations. Defenders restrict and verify operator access, protect command systems and communications, monitor activity, and plan for outages or compromised components. In a real attack, an adversary who gains access to part of this path might try to misuse credentials or interfere with command delivery; safeguards and monitoring can help detect or limit such activity.