European Space Agency to launch quantum satellites
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its industrial partners are planning to launch two quantum key distribution satellites at the beginning of next decade, and start delivering commercial services to private and governmental entities soon after.
The development is part of the ESA’s ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) Partner programme and its new ScyLight (SeCure and Laser communication Technology) initiative, which focuses on the development of optical technologies for satellite communication.
The projects are funded jointly by the agency and two partnering industrial consortia, although officials have not yet publicly disclosed who the partners are.
The ESA officials responsible
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