Safety risk assessment on communication system based on satellite constellations with the analytic hierarchy process

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method in safety risk assessment on communication system based on satellite constellations through constructing safety risk index system.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical study using the AHP was carried out to find the relative weights of those assessment criterion and sub‐objectives of subsystem. Then the risk scores of 15 sub‐objectives and four subsystems were calculated applying the AHP method according to the assessment result of experts.FindingsAccording to the overall results from the estimation of experts the safety risk priority of net application is the highest and the safety risk priority of attack on physical equipment is the lowest. This explained that the possibility of a war in today's era, in which peace and development is the theme is very small, and risk prevention should focus more on the defense of network attacks from enemies.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a positive analysis of safety risk for a communication system based on satellite constellations and gives an opinion in accordance with the assessment result.Originality/valueAn AHP method was applied in the security risk assessment of communications systems on satellite constellation and the estimation of facing risk situation of the satellite communication system was presented according to the opinion of experts.