The CDTI (Centre for Technological Development and Innovation) has awarded Sener the phase 2 contract to develop a quantum key demonstrator for LEO orbits, within the scope of PERTE Aerospace. This is the first Spanish quantum key distribution (QKD) mission, and its development is critical for the future of communications security.

Thanks to the award of this contract, Sener leads low-orbit quantum distribution technology in Spain and is at the head of a Spanish consortium of top-tier companies, SMEs and Public Research Organisations. With a budget obtained from PERTE Aerospace, it will enable Spain to strengthen its position in quantum technology, and its results could be applied to the EU secure satellite communication constellation (IRIS2).

Phase 2 was awarded this summer. Sener previously completed a first phase involving a feasibility study, leading a Spanish consortium made up of the top-tier companies Hisdeat, Hispasat and Deimos; the SMEs Quside and Luxquanta; and the Public Research Organisations ICFO and IEEC. In phase 2 other leading Spanish companies and institutions will join in the quantum field. The R&D solution proposed by the consortium led by Sener has obtained a very high score in the assessment of phase 1. Now kicks off the prototype’s development, construction, verification and validation phase, which is estimated to span 20 months and has been funded with 18 million euros.

Quantum key distribution is a secure communications method based on the inherent properties of photons according to quantum mechanics, specifically on the no-cloning theorem, which states that it is impossible to create an identical copy of an arbitrary quantum state. In essence, it allows creating a secure coded key in the polarisation of an extremely attenuated light beam, in such a way that it is only shared and known by the message’s emitter and receiver. It is considered to be the only way to ensure the invulnerability of communications in the future, once super quantum computers acquire the capacity to decode any encrypted message.

Sener will produce the demonstrator for a LEO mission at an altitude of 500-700 kilometres, by developing a useful load to be onboarded a low earth orbit satellite and its associated ground segment, including the optical ground station.

There are currently no technological solutions on the market that address the technological challenge of quantum key distribution. Therefore, this project has a considerable innovative component that will help Spain strengthen its position in the field of quantum technology. Similarly, the results could be applied to the EU secure satellite communication constellation (IRIS2).