As prime contractor Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with the European Space Agency in January to lead the project “Technological development for space-based quantum resource distribution – TeQuantS” aimed at developing quantum space-to-Earth communications technologies. This contract, part of ESA’s ARTES 4.0 Core Competitiveness programme element, is supported by the French space agency CNES and the Austrian space agency ALR.

Staying safe from cyberattacks that target vital services such as power supplies is increasingly important in today’s digital world. ESA is supporting European autonomy to keep people connected by highly secure technologies based on the unbreakable laws of quantum physics.

Satellites are today viewed as the best bet for long-distance quantum communications, as ground-based fiber-optic links directly transmitting quantum information are limited to a range of about 150 kilometers. The key challenge for quantum information networks is to enable future quantum computers and sensors to talk to each other and fulfill their promised exponential gains in performance. Quantum communications are currently the focus of major research and development programs.

The TeQuantS project intends to develop quantum technologies for cybersecurity applications and future quantum information networks. These technologies will enable the partners to build satellites and optical ground stations by the end of 2026. TeQuantS will thus help to demonstrate the performance of long-distance quantum satellite links.

The project led by Thales Alenia Space will draw on the expertise of a consortium composed of fellow prime Airbus Defence and Space, seven SMEs and startups, and two research laboratories. The partners will be innovating together to advance quantum communications in pursuit of Europe’s objectives.

Adaptive optics components and systems manufactures Alpao will be in charge of designing high performance and robust new adaptive optics system architecture for the ground stations. “With the synergy of the consortium, we will develop highly secure free space optical communication, based on the efficient laws of quantum physics. Alpao will bring and share its expertise as leader in adaptive optics to develop a key architecture for this project,” said Vincent Tempelaere, president at Alpao.

Further partners include Aurea Technology, Bertin Technologies, Miratlas, OGS Technologies, QTlabs, and Sigmaworks.