DÉFENSE ZONE
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) as prime contractor for the TeQuantS project, which aims to develop space-to-Earth quantum communication technologies. The contract, which falls under the Core Competitiveness 4.0 component of ESA’s ARTES programme, is supported by the French space agency (CNES) and the Austrian Space Agency.
The TeQuantS project, launched by Thales Alenia Space and its partners, aims to develop the quantum technologies needed for cyber security applications and for the development of the future quantum Internet. The project plans to build satellites and optical ground stations by the end of 2026, which should make it possible, according to Thales, to “demonstrate the performance of long-distance quantum communication links by satellite”. At present, using satellites is considered the best option for long-distance quantum communications, because “terrestrial optical fibres can only transmit quantum information directly over about 150 kilometres”, the company explains.
The algorithms currently used to encrypt communications are vulnerable to what quantum computing will be capable of. One of the major cyber security challenges is therefore to generate cryptographic keys using the quantum properties of light and to distribute them to users who may be located anywhere in the world.
In addition, the development of quantum information networks, to which the TeQuantS project contributes, meets the need to have future quantum computers and quantum sensors communicate with one another so that they can deliver on their promise of exponential performance gains.
To carry out this project, Thales Alenia Space can count on the expertise of many partners: Airbus Defence and Space, SMEs and start-ups such as ALPAO, AUREA Technology and BERTIN Technologies, as well as two laboratories: LIP6 - Sorbonne Université and INPHYNI - Université Côte d’Azur/CNRS. “Through the TeQuantS project, all parties will be able to innovate together and make further progress in the field of quantum communications to help achieve European objectives,” Thales said in its press release.
Javier Benedicto, Acting Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications at ESA, said: “It is increasingly important to support Europe’s autonomy, leadership and responsibility in today’s digital world. We are proud to be working with the consortium led by Thales Alenia Space to enable European citizens to continue to benefit from secure satellite connectivity in their daily lives on Earth.”
“We are delighted to collaborate with our partners to develop the quantum technologies that will demonstrate the ability to create a long-distance quantum communication link by satellite with an operational objective, and that will contribute to European sovereignty in this field. We thank ESA, CNES and the Austrian Space Agency for their essential support in this unique project, which addresses both future cyber security and quantum Internet challenges,” said Marc-Henri Serre, Executive Vice President, Telecommunications, at Thales Alenia Space.
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