With the acquisition of IonQ Capella Space, quantum computing company aims to extend the security of quantum networks to satellite networks.
IonQ, based in College Park, state of maryland, works as in the field of quantum computing, and quantum networks, which ensures communication security. In July, the company completed an agreement to acquire Capella Space, which is engaged in satellite observation of the Earth and operates commercial satellites with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR).
The acquisition of Capella Space is part of a plan to expand IonQ's quantum security offerings from terrestrial sources, to cover the space part of networks.
Capella CEO Frank Backes has a long-standing focus on the cybersecurity of space systems and was the founder and former president of Space ISAC. He sees the potential of this combination and the transfer of quantum networks to space.
He thinks, that commercial space adoption is held back by restrictions on commercial data movement practices, and quantum security will lead to greater adoption.
The US and allied countries want absolute, reliable and secure architecture, starting from the task of the intelligence information processing system and ending with the capture of this information on the satellite, transferring this data for processing in orbit or on the ground, and then transferring the processed analytical information to the client, who needs it.
Capella Space has a current contract with the Space Development Agency to launch an optical terminal on board its satellites for optical space-to-space and space-to-Earth communications. Capella plans to use IonQ technology, which has already been tested on the ground, and deploy it as a payload on your spacecraft.
Basic research and testing of the technology has already taken place. Now the main efforts are concentrated, to prepare this technology for use in space for implementation in architecture, which was already created to support optical connections.
Capella will continue its activity in the field of SAR (synthetic aperture radar) and Earth observation. in addition, it will begin to combine space networks with terrestrial ones.
Capella Space is part of a series of recent acquisitions by IonQ, aimed at accelerating the deployment of interconnected quantum systems. They also include ID Quantique, specializing in quantum key distribution (QKD), and Lightsynq, dealing with quantum networks. in addition, IonQ is currently in talks to acquire quantum computer maker Oxford Ionics and has a collaboration agreement with satellite terminal maker Intellian.
According to Capella Space, IonQ can develop faster, owning space assets and seeking vertical integration. He singled out Capella's work with government agencies as a growth vector for IonQ, and the impact of quantum computers on cyber security will take the world by surprise, noting, that quantum computers are developing faster, than Moore's Law, doubling at an exponential rate.
The Capella acquisition adds a space component to IonQ's roadmap, even the potential for a future quantum computing data center in space.
Source: https://www.satellitetoday.com