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SpeQtral has announced a collaboration with Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) and Mbryonics to develop its SpeQtral-1 satellite. The primary objective of SpeQtral-1 is to provide secure communications services using quantum security measures. The company believes that conventional cryptographic techniques are at risk with the emergence of quantum computing. NanoAvionics will be responsible for providing the satellite bus, while Mbryonics will develop the satellite’s optical terminal. The nanosatellite will be based on NanoAvionics’s M16P bus.

The SpeQtral-1 satellite will also serve as the space segment for the ESA INT-UQKD program in conjunction with SpeQtre, which is anticipated to launch later this year. The program seeks to explore international use cases for operational quantum key distribution (QKD) applications and services. SpeQtral-1 will be the second QKD satellite developed by SpeQtral, following the successful technology demonstration mission of SpeQtre, which utilized technologies showcased on the SpooQy-1 CubeSat in 2019.

“This groundbreaking mission requires a high level of expertise and collaboration. We are excited that NanoAvionics and Mbryonics have accepted the challenge and are working with us to develop state-of-the-art laser communications with integrated QKD capabilities,” stated Rob Bedington, CTO of SpeQtral. “Our partners’ knowledge and capabilities align perfectly with our vision of delivering quantum-safe keys through CubeSats. We are looking forward to building the future of global secure connectivity together.”

The partnership between SpeQtral, NanoAvionics, and Mbryonics aims to advance the development of secure quantum communication technologies and strengthen the overall security of satellite-based communications. With the growing potential of quantum computing, the need for quantum-secure solutions has become increasingly urgent. The SpeQtral-1 satellite will play a vital role in demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of QKD in space, paving the way for future advancements in secure satellite communication networks.

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