Capella Space, renowned for its high-resolution SAR satellite imagery, is undergoing a significant transformation. IonQ, a quantum computing company, will acquire Capella in an all-stock deal valued at nearly $318 million, expected to close in late 2025. Capella will remain operational as a subsidiary, continuing to enhance its satellite constellation.
IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi explained that this acquisition is a pivotal step in their ambition to establish a space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) network. Integrating Capella’s space-based sensors with IonQ's terrestrial quantum infrastructure will create a new level of secure data transmission. "We are 100% here to support the existing Capella business," de Masi confirmed to SpaceNews. The plan includes expanding Capella’s SAR constellation from four to eight satellites by next year.
Capella CEO Frank Backes highlighted the acquisition's impact on addressing key challenges within the SAR industry: latency, security, and capacity. "In the SAR industry there are three primary challenges,” Backes stated. “One is latency, two is security and three is capacity. And this alignment with IonQ allows us to not just get ahead of what’s going on in SAR in one of the three areas, but it actually allows us to accelerate past everybody in all three categories.” The goal is to deliver SAR data in under 15 minutes, significantly improving its usability for commercial and emergency response applications.
This accelerated data delivery will be enabled by secure optical networks, quantum computer processing, and high-capacity data networks. Quantum key distribution (QKD), utilizing quantum mechanics for secure key exchange, is central to this vision. IonQ plans to utilize optical inter-satellite links and photon detectors to implement QKD in orbit. Backes emphasized that they are leveraging existing terrestrial IonQ technologies for space-based solutions: “We’re talking about technologies that IonQ is delivering today terrestrially…and we would bring those same capabilities to space and solve the three biggest problems to Earth observation that everybody on the planet is trying to solve.”
While integration of optical inter-satellite links is underway, challenges remain due to production issues with Mynaric. However, the aim is to establish secure, high-speed data transfer across a quantum-encrypted network in space. This enhanced security and speed have both national security and commercial implications, potentially expanding SAR usage beyond its current military and intelligence focus. Backes stated, “The consumption of SAR has been driven heavily by military and intelligence for a long time…This is an opportunity for us to change the foundation of synthetic aperture radar in the way it’s used on a global basis.”
IonQ's support extends beyond financial investment, encompassing Capella’s expansion into new sensor capabilities like signals intelligence. This combined strength positions them as a major player in the satellite services market. For Capella, this is not merely a financial injection but a strategic leap towards a new space infrastructure model, providing access to public markets and securing their future. "This is us taking that next leap … Not every space company gets to this level. Not every space company makes it," Backes concluded.