Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks

QSpace Project: Quantum Cryptography in Space

C. Barbieri, Gianfranco Cariolaro, Tommaso Occhipinti, Claudio Pernechele, Fabrizio Tamburini, Paolo Villoresi

Published Jan 18, 2006• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to improve the techniques of Quantum Cryptography, to realize a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in free space with an orbiting satellite using nowadays technology. With this experiment we characterize the properties of a single photon communication channel from an orbiting satellite in space to a ground based station. We used the facilities of the ASI laser ranging station MLRO (Matera) and the satellite for geodesy Lageos I, equipped with corner-cube retroreflectors, to simulate a single photon transmission from an orbiting satellite.

DOI
10.1007/0-387-23136-6_6

Related papers

Space-to-ground quantum communication using an optical ground station: a feasibility study

Paolo Villoresi, Fabrizio Tamburini, Markus Aspelmeyer +6 more

We have tested the experimental prerequisites for a Space-to-Ground quantum communication link between satellites and an optical ground station. The feasibility of our ideas is being tested using the facilities of the ASI Matera Laser Ranging Observatory (MLRO) and existing geodetic satellites such as Lageos 1 and 2. Specific emphasis is put on the necessary technological modifications of the existing infrastructure to achieve single photon reception from an orbiting satellite.

arXiv:quant-ph/0408067•Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 19, 2004•26 citations

Space Quantum Communication

Matteo Schiavon

The primary role played by communication in our society gives importance to the problem of securely transmitting sensitive information. Quantum physics can be exploited to solve this problem in a more secure way than it is possible by using classical protocols. The application of quantum physics to communication tasks is the basis of the new quantum communication field, of which quantum cryptography represents the most successful achievement. Quantum communication, however, suffers the presence of losses much more than classical communication. The high level of losses in fiber-based systems, limiting the maximum transmission distance to a few hundred kilometers, makes it necessary to find new ways to go further. A promising solution for extending it to a worldwide scale seems to be the use of satellites. This thesis studies some aspects of quantum communication from an experimental point of view. It presents both the study in the laboratory of quantum communication protocols and the experimental characterization of the satellite-ground channel by using a simulated space source exploiting corner-cube retro-reflectors on geodesic satellites. In addition to this, it also deals with some more technical issues of the problem, such as the construction of a high brilliance polarization-entangled photon source and the improvement of the receiving station for space quantum communication at the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory.

•Jan 29, 2017•0 citations

Experimental verification of the feasibility of a quantum channel between space and Earth

P Villoresi, T Jennewein, Fabrizio Tamburini +8 more

Extending quantum communication to space environments would enable us to perform fundamental experiments on quantum physics as well as applications of quantum information at planetary and interplanetary scales. Here, we report on the first experimental study of the conditions for the implementation of the single-photon exchange between a satellite and an Earth-based station. We built an experiment that mimics a single photon source on a satellite, exploiting the telescope at the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory of the Italian Space Agency to detect the transmitted photons. Weak laser pulses, emitted by the ground-based station, are directed toward a satellite equipped with cube-corner retroreflectors. These reflect a small portion of the pulse, with an average of less-than-one photon per pulse directed to our receiver, as required for faint-pulse quantum communication. We were able to detect returns from satellite Ajisai, a low-Earth orbit geodetic satellite, whose orbit has a perigee height of 1485 km.

arXiv:0803.1871•New Journal of Physics•Mar 28, 2008•235 citations

Quantum communications between Earth and Space

Davide Bacco

In this society people are always connected, and everyday they manage a lot of personal data also risking to be eavesdropped. Quantum science is one the most promising field of the next years, from quantum computing to quantum communications and above all quantum cryptography. Quantum cryptography is the first commercial application of quantum physics and moreover it results one of the most reliable solution for security problem. Using Quantum Physic law's it is possible to establish secure communications between two users, guaranteeing unconditionally security in the transmission of data. Unfortunately due to the intrinsic losses inside optical fibers, it is not possible to establish a quantum link over $300$ km until quantum repeater will be achievable. The natural extension of terrestrial quantum links are space communications, where however the problems due to environment, temperature and pressure are totally new for quantum devices. The study investigated the possibility of sending quantum signals through atmosphere, in particular trying to realize quantum communications between Earth and Space. In this perspective we used Laser Ranging corner-cubes mounted into satellites to recreate a space quantum link. It was possible to prove that even with high losses, variable attenuation, and high backgorund a quantum key distribution system works, and an unconditionally secure key, needful for encryption, can be generated. With this experiments we demonstrate that not only free-space quantum key distribution is a ready technology, but also that quantum satellite communications is nowadays possible and realizable. Moreover these results open the way to look towards a global space quantum network, where optical station (OGS) could talk with satellite and vice-versa. This work was supported by the Strategic Project QUANTUMFUTURE of University of Padova, by ESAGNSS program and realized in Luxor laboratories in Padova. The principal tests were made at Telespazio (Matera) using the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory and into Thales Alenia Space (Torino).

•Jun 1, 2015•0 citations

Quantum cryptography for secure satellite communications

Richard Hughes, W. T. Buttler, Paul G. Kwiat +4 more

Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology in which two parties may simultaneously generate shared, secret cryptographic key material using the transmission of quantum states of light. The security of these transmissions is based on the inviolability of the laws of quantum mechanics and information-theoretically secure post-processing methods. An adversary can neither successfully tap the quantum transmissions, nor evade detection, owing to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. In this paper we describe the theory of quantum cryptography, and recent results from our experimental free-space system with which we have demonstrated the feasibility of quantum key generation over a point-to-point outdoor atmospheric path in daylight. We achieved a transmission distance of 0.5 km, which was limited only by the length of the test range. Our results provide strong evidence that cryptographic key material could be generated on demand between a ground station and a satellite (or between two satellites), allowing a satellite to be securely re-keyed on orbit for encrypting the uplinked command path and downlinked data path; or to distribute keys between widely-separated ground stations with a satellite relay, enabling encrypted communications over even inter-continental distances. We present a feasibility analysis of surface-to-satellite quantum key generation.

IEEE Aerospace Conference (AERO)•Nov 7, 2002•37 citations

Integration of Quantum Cryptography through Satellite Networks Transmission

Aris

Problem statement: The security of the telecommunications satellite has become a crucial issue.The telecommunications can be set using the classical cryptography.But this so-called classical cryptography provides cryptographic security.This means that security is based on the difficulty of some mathematics problems.On the other hand, quantum cryptography provides security without conditions based on the law of quantum physics.This method, called the theoretic information security is evidenced using the theory of information.Approach: In this study, we study whether quantum cryptography can be applied in the frame of the satellite telecommunications network.To do this in our project, we present theories regarding the following issues: Telecommunications Station and Satellite Communication Networks, Quantum Key Distribution, Open Space and Satellites, Analyses in different Scenarios between the Satellite and Earth station.Results: Quantum communications offers many advantages for secure data transmission, in our implementation study, we presented different scenarios of quantum key exchange between satellites and ground stations for possible approach to subsystem with quantum communication in space, capable of generating and detecting entangled photons as well as faint laser pulses.Conclusion: The use of satellites to distribute quantum photon provides a unique solution for long-distance.Moreover, quantum cryptography is a satisfactory solution to improve the safety problem.So, the quantum transmissions are the future of telecommunications.

American Journal of Applied Sciences•Jan 1, 2011•8 citations
The purpose of this project is to improve the techniques of Quantum Cryptography, to realize a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) in free space with an orbiting satellite using nowadays technology. With this experiment we characterize the properties of a single photon communication channel from an orbiting satellite in space to a ground based station. We used the facilities of the ASI laser ranging station MLRO (Matera) and the satellite for geodesy Lageos I, equipped with corner-cube retroreflectors, to simulate a single photon transmission from an orbiting satellite.
The primary role played by communication in our society gives importance to the problem of securely transmitting sensitive information. Quantum physics can be exploited to solve this problem in a more secure way than it is possible by using classical protocols. The application of quantum physics to communication tasks is the basis of the new quantum communication field, of which quantum cryptography represents the most successful achievement. Quantum communication, however, suffers the presence of losses much more than classical communication. The high level of losses in fiber-based systems, limiting the maximum transmission distance to a few hundred kilometers, makes it necessary to find new ways to go further. A promising solution for extending it to a worldwide scale seems to be the use of satellites. This thesis studies some aspects of quantum communication from an experimental point of view. It presents both the study in the laboratory of quantum communication protocols and the experimental characterization of the satellite-ground channel by using a simulated space source exploiting corner-cube retro-reflectors on geodesic satellites. In addition to this, it also deals with some more technical issues of the problem, such as the construction of a high brilliance polarization-entangled photon source and the improvement of the receiving station for space quantum communication at the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory.
Extending quantum communication to space environments would enable us to perform fundamental experiments on quantum physics as well as applications of quantum information at planetary and interplanetary scales. Here, we report on the first experimental study of the conditions for the implementation of the single-photon exchange between a satellite and an Earth-based station. We built an experiment that mimics a single photon source on a satellite, exploiting the telescope at the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory of the Italian Space Agency to detect the transmitted photons. Weak laser pulses, emitted by the ground-based station, are directed toward a satellite equipped with cube-corner retroreflectors. These reflect a small portion of the pulse, with an average of less-than-one photon per pulse directed to our receiver, as required for faint-pulse quantum communication. We were able to detect returns from satellite Ajisai, a low-Earth orbit geodetic satellite, whose orbit has a perigee height of 1485 km.
In this society people are always connected, and everyday they manage a lot of personal data also risking to be eavesdropped. Quantum science is one the most promising field of the next years, from quantum computing to quantum communications and above all quantum cryptography. Quantum cryptography is the first commercial application of quantum physics and moreover it results one of the most reliable solution for security problem. Using Quantum Physic law's it is possible to establish secure communications between two users, guaranteeing unconditionally security in the transmission of data. Unfortunately due to the intrinsic losses inside optical fibers, it is not possible to establish a quantum link over 300300300 km until quantum repeater will be achievable. The natural extension of terrestrial quantum links are space communications, where however the problems due to environment, temperature and pressure are totally new for quantum devices. The study investigated the possibility of sending quantum signals through atmosphere, in particular trying to realize quantum communications between Earth and Space. In this perspective we used Laser Ranging corner-cubes mounted into satellites to recreate a space quantum link. It was possible to prove that even with high losses, variable attenuation, and high backgorund a quantum key distribution system works, and an unconditionally secure key, needful for encryption, can be generated. With this experiments we demonstrate that not only free-space quantum key distribution is a ready technology, but also that quantum satellite communications is nowadays possible and realizable. Moreover these results open the way to look towards a global space quantum network, where optical station (OGS) could talk with satellite and vice-versa. This work was supported by the Strategic Project QUANTUMFUTURE of University of Padova, by ESAGNSS program and realized in Luxor laboratories in Padova. The principal tests were made at Telespazio (Matera) using the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory and into Thales Alenia Space (Torino).
Quantum cryptography is an emerging technology in which two parties may simultaneously generate shared, secret cryptographic key material using the transmission of quantum states of light. The security of these transmissions is based on the inviolability of the laws of quantum mechanics and information-theoretically secure post-processing methods. An adversary can neither successfully tap the quantum transmissions, nor evade detection, owing to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. In this paper we describe the theory of quantum cryptography, and recent results from our experimental free-space system with which we have demonstrated the feasibility of quantum key generation over a point-to-point outdoor atmospheric path in daylight. We achieved a transmission distance of 0.5 km, which was limited only by the length of the test range. Our results provide strong evidence that cryptographic key material could be generated on demand between a ground station and a satellite (or between two satellites), allowing a satellite to be securely re-keyed on orbit for encrypting the uplinked command path and downlinked data path; or to distribute keys between widely-separated ground stations with a satellite relay, enabling encrypted communications over even inter-continental distances. We present a feasibility analysis of surface-to-satellite quantum key generation.
Problem statement: The security of the telecommunications satellite has become a crucial issue.The telecommunications can be set using the classical cryptography.But this so-called classical cryptography provides cryptographic security.This means that security is based on the difficulty of some mathematics problems.On the other hand, quantum cryptography provides security without conditions based on the law of quantum physics.This method, called the theoretic information security is evidenced using the theory of information.Approach: In this study, we study whether quantum cryptography can be applied in the frame of the satellite telecommunications network.To do this in our project, we present theories regarding the following issues: Telecommunications Station and Satellite Communication Networks, Quantum Key Distribution, Open Space and Satellites, Analyses in different Scenarios between the Satellite and Earth station.Results: Quantum communications offers many advantages for secure data transmission, in our implementation study, we presented different scenarios of quantum key exchange between satellites and ground stations for possible approach to subsystem with quantum communication in space, capable of generating and detecting entangled photons as well as faint laser pulses.Conclusion: The use of satellites to distribute quantum photon provides a unique solution for long-distance.Moreover, quantum cryptography is a satisfactory solution to improve the safety problem.So, the quantum transmissions are the future of telecommunications.