Scientists from China and South Africa have utilized a low-cost microsatellite And transportable ground stations to form the world's most extended quantum communication network.
In a study released in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on Wednesday, the scientists stated that China's Jinan-1 quantum microsatellite It was sent to connect Stellenbosch University in South Africa with a facility in Beijing run by scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).
Utilizing a common encryption key, the group sent two pictures—one depicting China's Great Wall and another showing the Stellenbosch campus—across 12,900 kilometers (8,000 miles) through the use of a satellite.
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"The team reported the creation of a quantum microsatellite designed for space-to-ground quantum key distribution with the use of portable ground stations," they stated in the paper.
This accomplishment provides a solid base for our upcoming initiatives to deploy several microsatellites and create an extensive network of optical ground stations, guiding us toward the implementation of a functional quantum constellation.
Anticipated in the coming years is a worldwide quantum network capable of transforming communication, computing, and sensing technologies.
Quantum communications via satellite have so far depended on sizable scientific satellites coupled with extensive optical ground facilities, hindering efforts to expand this tech into a worldwide system.
Quantum communication leverages principles of quantum mechanics to provide an almost unbreakable method for transmitting data. A specific application within this field is quantum key distribution, which employs a cryptographic process aimed at producing and exchanging a private key among participants to ensure secure dialogue.
In 2016, China became the first nation to achieve satellite-based quantum communication with the launch of Mozi—also referred to as Micius—the world's inaugural quantum satellite.
Micius assisted in confirming the viability of satellite-based quantum communication, however, expanding this technology necessitates the development of miniaturized satellites, compact terrestrial equipment, and instantaneous secure key distribution.
Jinan-1, with a quantum payload weighing just 23 kg and approximately one-tenth the mass of Micius, was launched in July 2022 to accomplish this objective.
Pan Jianwei, the leading quantum physicist from USTC responsible for developing the satellites, informed Nature News that the microsatellite was approximately 2 percent of the cost of Micius.
Pan stated that an additional four microsatellites will be launched in 2026 for commercial purposes.
Once a quantum key has been established, the microsatellite can function as a "space mail carrier," facilitating encrypted communications between remote ground stations with an impressively short delay of about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
In one satellite pass above Stellenbosch, 1.07 million bits of secure keys were exchanged between the microsatellite and a ground station.
The Chinese-South African team stated, 'We establish two-way optical communication between the satellite and [ground stations], allowing for real-time secure key extraction and secure communications,'
The team managed to decrease the weight of the optical ground stations from 13,000 kg (28,700 lbs) down to merely 100 kg. These ground stations can furthermore be set up within a matter of hours, enabling rapid installation even in challenging landscapes such as mountainous regions.
“Collaborations at both international and national levels are crucial for advancing pioneering research and expanding the frontiers of science,” stated study author Yaseera Ismail from Stellenbosch.
Establishing the initial quantum satellite connection in the southern hemisphere marks a remarkable accomplishment for South Africa.
Following the launch of Jinan-1, other nations such as Germany and Israel have subsequently sent their own quantum satellites into space, as mentioned in a social media update from Micius Salon—a platform established by USTC.
Although China and the U.S. are at the forefront of global quantum communications, Europe is rapidly closing the gap, as stated in the post.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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