Boeing announced on April 16th the completion of a ground-based system for a mission designed to showcase quantum networking in space. This achievement marks a significant milestone before the launch of the Q4S satellite scheduled for next year.
In collaboration with HRL Laboratories, a research facility Boeing partly owns, the company also confirmed the validation of software for the payload subassembly. This assembly will act as the ground-based counterpart to its space-bound twin. The goal is to demonstrate quantum entanglement swapping between the terrestrial and orbital components, allowing information transfer without physical transmission.
This technology is vital for expanding quantum networks beyond simple point-to-point communication. It facilitates more precise measurements from sensors, which can then be integrated into more powerful quantum computers. The hardware is currently undergoing environmental testing to ensure its satellite-based equivalent can endure the challenges of space travel and operation. “HRL has delivered an optical lab’s worth of capability in a compact, 15kg integrated space-capable assembly,” said Jay Lowell, chief scientist at Boeing’s disruptive computing, networks and sensors organization. “After validating the space qualification of our subassembly in our Boeing El Segundo Space Simulation Laboratory, this payload subassembly will serve as the ground twin to mirror the on-orbit payload which is currently in production.”
Boeing reports successful demonstration of four-photon quantum entanglement in lab settings, utilizing two entangled-photon pair sources within the subassembly. Each source generated photon pairs with high fidelity, signifying strong correlation between the particles. The system detected over 2,500 matching photon pairs per second, fulfilling the project's accuracy requirements. HRL principal investigator Jennifer Ellis stated: “Demonstrating entanglement swapping between these two entangled photon pairs, will enable us to entangle previously unconnected nodes, a foundational breakthrough for building secure, scalable quantum computing and sensing networks in space.”
The potential applications of a space-based quantum internet are wide-ranging, including ultra-secure global communications, enhanced Earth observation, and improved climate modeling.