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A new generation of quantum satellites is designed to reboot the possibilities of space for people.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has announced that the country is preparing to launch a new generation of quantum communication satellites.
The satellites will be the next step after the launch of the world's first quantum communications satellite, Micius, in 2016. The new satellites are designed to perform more complex tasks and deploy in low, medium and high orbits, which will allow them to be used as platforms for quantum science experiments.
The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology involves the use of a photon source on satellites that generates individual light qubits. Photons are polarized in certain orientations to transmit quantum information. The satellite is able to create random but entangled pairs of photons, thereby forming secret keys that are transmitted to two ground stations equipped with detectors to measure the polarization of incoming photons.
This method allows two parties to conduct encrypted communication and decrypt data using keys created based on quantum properties. The Micius satellite has set a new record for the transmission distance of secure data using quantum means by transmitting keys between ground stations in China and Austria.
Placing the new quantum satellites in higher orbits, similar to those of GPS satellites, will provide a better view of the earth's surface, compared to the Micius satellite, which orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 500 km. Increasing the altitude will also increase the visibility time of satellites for ground stations.
Before starting to send signals from an altitude of about 10,000 km (among other technical challenges), the task is to develop technologies for suppressing microvibrations necessary for accurate transmission of optical or laser signals by spacecraft. The time frame for new missions has not yet been announced.
The CAS said that quantum space technologies can lead to breakthroughs in deep space exploration and the detection of gravitational waves in space.
China is not the only country actively working to change the way sensitive data is transmitted in space. Last year, it became known that Europe is creating the EAGLE-1 demonstration satellite complex, a system for secure distribution of quantum keys that provides in-orbit verification and demonstration of next-generation cybersecurity throughout Europe.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has announced that the country is preparing to launch a new generation of quantum communication satellites.
The satellites will be the next step after the launch of the world's first quantum communications satellite, Micius, in 2016. The new satellites are designed to perform more complex tasks and deploy in low, medium and high orbits, which will allow them to be used as platforms for quantum science experiments.
The Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology involves the use of a photon source on satellites that generates individual light qubits. Photons are polarized in certain orientations to transmit quantum information. The satellite is able to create random but entangled pairs of photons, thereby forming secret keys that are transmitted to two ground stations equipped with detectors to measure the polarization of incoming photons.
This method allows two parties to conduct encrypted communication and decrypt data using keys created based on quantum properties. The Micius satellite has set a new record for the transmission distance of secure data using quantum means by transmitting keys between ground stations in China and Austria.
Placing the new quantum satellites in higher orbits, similar to those of GPS satellites, will provide a better view of the earth's surface, compared to the Micius satellite, which orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 500 km. Increasing the altitude will also increase the visibility time of satellites for ground stations.
Before starting to send signals from an altitude of about 10,000 km (among other technical challenges), the task is to develop technologies for suppressing microvibrations necessary for accurate transmission of optical or laser signals by spacecraft. The time frame for new missions has not yet been announced.
The CAS said that quantum space technologies can lead to breakthroughs in deep space exploration and the detection of gravitational waves in space.
China is not the only country actively working to change the way sensitive data is transmitted in space. Last year, it became known that Europe is creating the EAGLE-1 demonstration satellite complex, a system for secure distribution of quantum keys that provides in-orbit verification and demonstration of next-generation cybersecurity throughout Europe.
