Los Altos, California, March 18, 2024 – Antaris, the leading software platform for space missions, today announced that it is partnering with SpeQtral to create, deliver, and deploy quantum-safe key distribution satellites for government and commercial operators. The partnership will involve integrating SpeQtral’s quantum payloads with Antaris SatOSTM space vehicle software and partner bus platforms. Antaris expects to deliver the first customer spacecraft to orbit from as early as 2026.

The novel, cloud-based satellite design, powered by Antaris SatOSTM and delivered as a turnkey solution, represents industry firsts for this emerging technology. As part of this program, Antaris will also provide a TrueTwinTM digital twin of the satellite to enable customers to simulate, test, and operate the space vehicle in a high-fidelity environment. Using TrueTwinTM, customers will be able to “fly” and validate complete missions before the satellite is delivered in orbit.

SpeQtral’s state-of-the-art, space-based, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology is a secure method for establishing and distributing symmetric encryption keys based on the fundamental properties of quantum mechanics. This enables two parties, situated anywhere in the world, to produce shared secret keys which are provably random and tamper-proof, even in the presence of an eavesdropping adversary with access to a Quantum Computer with vast compute power. Satellite QKD therefore has immense potential across various applications that deal with highly sensitive data, such as the government and defense sectors.

“SpeQtral’s compact and ruggedized quantum payloads will facilitate highly secure encryption key delivery that can mitigate against the imminent quantum cybersecurity threat. This can be applied across a wide range of applications including satellite command, control, and data downlink, as well as traditional Satcom or terrestrial communications,” says Tom Barton, CEO and Co-Founder of Antaris. “By integrating this technology with the Antaris Cloud Platform, governments and commercial operators can deploy these capabilities in space faster than ever before, and for a fraction of the cost, compared to legacy methods.”

“Until now, quantum-safe networking satellites have been out of reach to all but a handful of governments,” says Lum Chune Yang, Co-Founder and CEO of SpeQtral. “By working with Antaris, we are able to offer affordable, dedicated missions to government and defense customers as a turnkey solution delivered in orbit. This will enable customers to secure their most sensitive global communications with quantum-safe encryption techniques.”