CubeSat quantum communications mission

Abstract Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement. However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to...

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Main Authors:	Daniel KL Oi, Alex Ling, Giuseppe Vallone, Paolo Villoresi, Steve Greenland, Emma Kerr, Malcolm Macdonald, Harald Weinfurter, Hans Kuiper, Edoardo Charbon, Rupert Ursin
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	Springer 2017-04-01
Series:	EPJ Quantum Technology
Subjects:	CubeSat quantum entanglement cryptography
Online Access:	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-017-0060-1

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spelling	doaj-art-54a5c9f74ccc44438f5b2e8febd199e62018-08-20T16:09:47ZengSpringerEPJ Quantum Technology2196-07632017-04-014112010.1140/epjqt/s40507-017-0060-1CubeSat quantum communications missionDaniel KL Oi0Alex Ling1Giuseppe Vallone2Paolo Villoresi3Steve Greenland4Emma Kerr5Malcolm Macdonald6Harald Weinfurter7Hans Kuiper8Edoardo Charbon9Rupert Ursin10SUPA Department of Physics, University of StrathclydeCentre for Quantum Technologies, National University of SingaporeDipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di PadovaDipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Università degli Studi di PadovaAdvanced Space Concepts Laboratory, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of StrathclydeAdvanced Space Concepts Laboratory, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of StrathclydeScottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, Technology and Innovation CentreDepartment für Physik, Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversitätSpace Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of TechnologyAQUA, EPFLInstitute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Vienna Austrian Academy of SciencesAbstract Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement. However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to raise the technological readiness level of terrestrial quantum technologies and to adapt them for space operations. The small-space revolution is a promising route by which synergistic advances in miniaturization of both satellite systems and quantum technologies can be combined to leap-frog conventional space systems development. Here, we outline a recent proposal to perform orbit-to-ground transmission of entanglement and QKD using a CubeSat platform deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). This ambitious mission exploits advances in nanosatellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), miniaturised target acquisition and tracking sensors, compact and robust sources of single and entangled photons, and high-speed classical communications systems, all to be incorporated within a 10 kg 6 litre mass-volume envelope. The CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission (CQuCoM) would be a pathfinder for advanced nanosatellite payloads and operations, and would establish the basis for a constellation of low-Earth orbit trusted-nodes for QKD service provision.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-017-0060-1CubeSatquantumentanglementcryptography
institution	Open Data Bank
collection	Open Access Journals
building	Directory of Open Access Journals
language	English
format	Article
author	Daniel KL Oi Alex Ling Giuseppe Vallone Paolo Villoresi Steve Greenland Emma Kerr Malcolm Macdonald Harald Weinfurter Hans Kuiper Edoardo Charbon Rupert Ursin
spellingShingle	Daniel KL Oi Alex Ling Giuseppe Vallone Paolo Villoresi Steve Greenland Emma Kerr Malcolm Macdonald Harald Weinfurter Hans Kuiper Edoardo Charbon Rupert Ursin CubeSat quantum communications mission EPJ Quantum Technology CubeSat quantum entanglement cryptography
author_facet	Daniel KL Oi Alex Ling Giuseppe Vallone Paolo Villoresi Steve Greenland Emma Kerr Malcolm Macdonald Harald Weinfurter Hans Kuiper Edoardo Charbon Rupert Ursin
author_sort	Daniel KL Oi
title	CubeSat quantum communications mission
title_short	CubeSat quantum communications mission
title_full	CubeSat quantum communications mission
title_fullStr	CubeSat quantum communications mission
title_full_unstemmed	CubeSat quantum communications mission
title_sort	cubesat quantum communications mission
publisher	Springer
series	EPJ Quantum Technology
issn	2196-0763
publishDate	2017-04-01
description	Abstract Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement. However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to raise the technological readiness level of terrestrial quantum technologies and to adapt them for space operations. The small-space revolution is a promising route by which synergistic advances in miniaturization of both satellite systems and quantum technologies can be combined to leap-frog conventional space systems development. Here, we outline a recent proposal to perform orbit-to-ground transmission of entanglement and QKD using a CubeSat platform deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). This ambitious mission exploits advances in nanosatellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), miniaturised target acquisition and tracking sensors, compact and robust sources of single and entangled photons, and high-speed classical communications systems, all to be incorporated within a 10 kg 6 litre mass-volume envelope. The CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission (CQuCoM) would be a pathfinder for advanced nanosatellite payloads and operations, and would establish the basis for a constellation of low-Earth orbit trusted-nodes for QKD service provision.
topic	CubeSat quantum entanglement cryptography
url	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-017-0060-1
_version_	1612686849758724096

CubeSat quantum communications mission

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