Thales Alenia Space, a Thales joint venture (67%) and Leonardo (33%), as well as Hispasat, operator of satellite services, announced the beginning of the development stage, production, verification and validation. prototype QKD-GEO, quantum key distribution system of Spain from geostationary orbit. With a budget 103,5 million euro QKD-GEO mission is a project, initiated by the Spanish Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure and financed by European funds as part of the Recovery Plan, transformation and sustainability (LOSS Aerospace), for which the contract is managed by CDTI.
The advent of quantum computers provides much greater computing power, than traditional computers, for specific problems, including prime factorization, which is the basis for modern asymmetric cryptography. This will lead to a paradigm shift in secure communications, as hackers with quantum computers will be able to crack the current encryption in seconds. So, it is important to develop a system, which allows sending information with the necessary guarantees in government communications (as civilians, as well as the military), in critical infrastructure management and economically, ecologically and technologically relevant services, as well as in large corporations. This technology is also the first step towards a future quantum internet, which will be a radical leap in global communications.
Quantum distribution of keys through an optical communication system allows you to confirm the fact of interception of keys, as the integrity of communications is constantly being tested due to the quantum properties of photons. Today, technology does not allow the use of fiber-optic connections for quantum communication over hundreds of kilometers. However, the use of satellites for quantum key distribution can cover long distances, because signal attenuation in free space is less. In particular, geostationary coverage at altitude 36 786 km, unlike other orbits, enables communication between entire continents using a single satellite continuously and without the need for complex signal tracking systems.
GEO-QKD has successfully completed the initial four-month system design phase, during which the architecture was created and its relevant elements were defined. The geostationary payload consists of a high-precision telescope with a guidance mechanism and built-in electronics, quantum random number generator, polarized photon signal sources, laser beacon and processor for key generation and communication protocol implementation. The terrestrial segment consists of optical stations, equipped with telescopes for receiving photons, transmitted from space, and recovery of keys, as well as the operations center, which organizes and controls all system activity, ensuring uninterrupted functioning as a space segment, and user interaction.
In June 2019 The European Commission supported the creation of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), which will deploy the first quantum communication nodes in various EU countries in the coming years. These nodes, will connect megacities using a satellite, to ensure robustness of IRIS2 communications, secure satellite communication system, which is promoted by the Commission, developed by a consortium involving Hispasat and for which Hispasat and Thales Alenia Space.