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OASIcs : OpenAccess Series in Informatics

Stealthy Low Earth Orbit Satellite-To-Ground Quantum Communication

Guanqun Song, Ting Zhu

Published Jan 1, 2026• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) leveraging satellites holds promise for global-scale secure communication. However, its practical deployment is threatened by the inherent predictability of satellite orbits, which exposes quantum channels to targeted eavesdropping attacks, compromising the physical-layer security guarantees of QKD. Through security analysis, we demonstrate that such attacks can drastically increase the quantum bit error rate (QBER) from 4.7% to 27.5%, effectively disrupting secure key generation. To address this fundamental vulnerability, we introduce a novel defense framework that integrates two strategies: (1) Stealthy Deployment, which obfuscates quantum satellites within massive LEO constellations to drastically increase an adversary’s search space, and (2) Dynamic Re-routing, which is an adaptive countermeasure that re-establishes QKD sessions via alternative paths upon eavesdropping detection. Evaluated through large-scale simulations incorporating real-world satellite data, our framework demonstrates up to a 90% improvement in key generation rate under active attack, ensuring robust and resilient satellite-based QKD without modifications to the underlying quantum hardware.

DOI
10.4230/oasics.nines.2026.11

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Quantum key distribution (QKD) leveraging satellites holds promise for global-scale secure communication. However, its practical deployment is threatened by the inherent predictability of satellite orbits, which exposes quantum channels to targeted eavesdropping attacks, compromising the physical-layer security guarantees of QKD. Through security analysis, we demonstrate that such attacks can drastically increase the quantum bit error rate (QBER) from 4.7% to 27.5%, effectively disrupting secure key generation. To address this fundamental vulnerability, we introduce a novel defense framework that integrates two strategies: (1) Stealthy Deployment, which obfuscates quantum satellites within massive LEO constellations to drastically increase an adversary’s search space, and (2) Dynamic Re-routing, which is an adaptive countermeasure that re-establishes QKD sessions via alternative paths upon eavesdropping detection. Evaluated through large-scale simulations incorporating real-world satellite data, our framework demonstrates up to a 90% improvement in key generation rate under active attack, ensuring robust and resilient satellite-based QKD without modifications to the underlying quantum hardware.
With the rapid advancement of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, ensuring the security of satellite-to-ground communication has become a critical concern. Traditional cryptographic techniques, while effective against classical attacks, face increasing threats from quantum computing. This paper proposes a quantum key secure transmission method tailored for LEO satellite-ground communication scenarios. The method integrates quantum key distribution (QKD) with dynamic channel estimation and orbital mobility prediction to support secure and low-latency key handshakes between satellites and ground stations. A hybrid encryption strategy is introduced, where QKD-generated keys are used to refresh symmetric session keys in real time, significantly enhancing resistance to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method ensures stable key distribution under Doppler-shifted and intermittent link conditions, achieving improved secrecy capacity and resilience against quantum-level adversaries. This work provides a viable and scalable quantum-safe communication solution for future secure satellite networks.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a fundamentally secure method for key exchange, grounded in the principles of quantum mechanics rather than computational complexity. As advancements in quantum computing threaten classical cryptographic systems (such as RSA) QKD presents itself as a crucial technology for future secure communications. Among the primary challenges for global-scale QKD is the limited range of optical fiber channels, making satellite-based free-space optical links an attractive alternative. QKD presents unique constraints related to the short and unreliable communication windows, due to atmospheric conditions and the presence of sunlight, which makes the real time operation of QKD constellations almost impossible. Traditional configurations offering instantaneous global coverage, such as Walker constellations, are not necessary for QKD networks and other constellation designs may be explored. In this work, we present as an alternative a two-height, single orbital plane constellation, which facilitates regular and extended inter-satellite visibility, enabling the constellation to function as a virtual trusted node and increasing network capacity and flexibility. The main technical contribution is the development of a simulation tool designed to evaluate and optimize satellite QKD constellations. The simulator allows researchers and mission planners to assess key generation rates and overall system performance, helping to reduce the risks, costs, and uncertainties involved in satellite deployment. Our approach provides a powerful framework for advancing the development of scalable and efficient global QKD networks.
Because quantum computing can break the hard mathematical problems that protect RSA and ECC, classical cryptography is entering a period of risk. QKD offers a different kind of protection, using quantum physics itself to guarantee secrecy. Bringing QKD to satellites helps cover long distances, but that link must withstand disturbances from the atmosphere, precision-related optical challenges, and sophisticated adversaries. In this paper, we explore how artificial intelligence can support satellite QKD. Our framework predicts channel changes using machine learning, tunes system parameters through reinforcement learning, and watches for suspicious activity using anomaly detection. When tested in simulations, the approach improved secure key generation by about 35%, cut QBER from 8% to 5%, and held up strongly against quantum-level attacks. These results demonstrate that integrating AI techniques with satellite-based QKD provides a resilient and scalable solution for secure global communications.
Global satellite infrastructure has transformed maritime data links, allowing ships to share real-time details—such as location, speed, and environmental readings—with orbiting platforms. Yet conventional encryption methods can be compromised, threatening the confidentiality of these exchanges. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) inherently detects any interception during key setup, offering a robust security layer. In our Satellite Vehicular Communication (SVC) framework, we integrate two entanglement-based QKD protocols: BBM92, which uses satellite-generated entangled photon pairs, and Measurement-Device-Independent QKD, which removes trust assumptions from the measurement hardware. We evaluate performance over free-space optical paths up to 25 km under realistic noise and weather scenarios. Findings show that MDIQKD achieves higher raw key generation rates but experiences rising quantum bit error rates at extended ranges, whereas BBM92 delivers lower error rates and steadier secure key throughput at moderate distances.
Satellite-mediated quantum key distribution (QKD) is set to become a critical technology for quantum-secure communication over long distances. While satellite QKD cannot be effectively eavesdropped, we show it can be disrupted (or 'jammed') with relatively simple and readily available equipment. We developed an atmospheric attenuation and satellite optical scattering model to estimate the rate of excess noise photons that can be injected into a satellite QKD channel by an off-axis laser, and calculated the effect this added noise has on the quantum bit error rate. We show that a ground-based laser on the order of 1 kW can significantly disrupt modern satellite QKD systems due to photons scattering off the satellite being detected by the QKD receiver on the ground. This class of laser can be purchased commercially, meaning such a method of disruption could be a serious threat to effectively securing high-value communications via satellite QKD in the future. We also discuss these results in relation to likely future developments in satellite-mediated QKD systems, and countermeasures that can be taken against this, and related methods, of disruption.
Quantum communication leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, for inherently secure data transmission that can detect any eavesdropping attempt. This research addresses the limitations of classical encryption by proposing a hybrid Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol that integrates the Bennett & Brassard 1984 Protocol(BB84) and Scarani-Acín-Ribordy-Gisin 2004 Protocol(SARG04) protocols. The primary objective is to enhance resilience against advanced threats such as Photon Number Splitting (PNS) and collective attacks, which are significant vulnerabilities in standard QKD implementations. The quantum channel is modeled using Qiskit Aer's noise framework, incorporating fiber attenuation (0.1−0.25 dB/km0.1-0.25 ~\text{dB} / \text{km}0.1−0.25 dB/km), depolarization (1−5%1-5 \%1−5%), and detector dark counts (0.01−0.030.01-0.030.01−0.03probability), varied across 10 rounds. A simulation spanning 10 rounds evaluated key metrics, including Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER), photon loss, and final key entropy. The results demonstrate the protocol's robustness, achieving a 0 % QBER in 50 % of the trials, representing a significant improvement in secure key generation. The average QBER across all rounds was 12.5 %, which is well below the 11 % theoretical threshold for secure communication. The highest QBER recorded was5 0 %\text{5 0 \%}5 0 %in Round 02, where high depolarization and an eavesdropping attempt were simulated. The work's findings indicate that the hybrid BB84-SARG04 protocol significantly enhances the security and reliability of quantum communication.