Satellite QKD provides an elegant solution to the currently limited range of terrestrial optical fibre for key distribution, thereby extending the use of QKD from metropolitan and inter-city to international scales. The UK has world-leading research in terrestrial QKD, and the Hub is supporting accelerated translation of that expertise and leadership into satellite quantum communications, for an in-orbit-demonstration (IOD) mission of Hub developed technologies . We are also building on feasibility studies in support of satellite QKD funded by the Phase 1 Hub, and prototype receiver development by Hub partners through ISCF funded projects. A vital element of the IOD, the ground station, will also enable the UK to collaborate in international satellite QKD initiatives in addition to communicating with the Hub satellite.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Quantum Communications Hub (2014-2024). The project is now complete but you can still explore all our resources on this website. You can also download our legacy report through this link.
Information on the Hub’s SPOQC quantum cubesat mission, scheduled to launch in 2025, can be accessed in this section, but please note that this website will no longer be updated with new content. Information around the launch of the mission will be publicised through press releases.
