Although significant attention is directed towards utilizing space for quantum communication technologies, the deployment of quantum computers in orbit remains a distant prospect. Simone D’Amico, chief science officer at EraDrive and associate professor of aeronautics and astronautics at Stanford University, stated at the Satellite Innovation conference on Oct. 28, "Even if we see progress on the ground, it will take a long time before that could be a viable compute resource for space applications."
Currently, global organizations are actively developing and testing space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. These systems leverage quantum mechanics to ensure secure data transmission. According to D’Amico, “The nodes that are communicating with one another can detect instantaneously whether someone is tampering with the communication or even intercepting it.”
SES is spearheading a European consortium to trial QKD via the Eagle-1 satellite, slated for launch in 2026. Eagle-1 aims to enhance cybersecurity for sectors like banking, essential infrastructure, and governmental operations by transmitting quantum keys. Mohammad Marashi, senior vice president of future business and innovation at SES, emphasized, “This is not theory anymore. Ground terminals are already being upgraded and deployed across Europe in order to do the testing next year.”
The quantum gravity gradiometer, a project of the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, represents another prospective application. D’Amico explained, “For deep space applications, the quantum gravity gradiometer measures gravitational fields with accuracies that are orders of magnitude superior to what we can do with the classical methods.”