• SpeQtral and Thales Alenia Space have entered a new phase of collaboration to demonstrate entangled photon transmission between space and Earth, advancing the foundations of quantum communication beyond QKD.

• The planned demonstration will validate key technologies, including free-space optical links and environmental signal analysis—relevant for future quantum networks, from secure communications to distributed computing.

• Governments and companies worldwide are accelerating investment in quantum communication infrastructure, but the landscape remains fragmented across technical maturity and strategic alignment.

• Space Insider helps public and commercial stakeholders navigate this complexity by tracking company activity, funding, partnerships, and readiness across the quantum-space value chain.

Quantum communications, often confined to laboratory demonstrations and fiber-based terrestrial trials, are entering their orbital phase. In a recent announcement from SpeQtral and Thales Alenia Space, the two companies extend their partnership to develop and test a space-to-ground quantum communication link. This includes a planned joint demonstration of a space-to-ground quantum link, integrating SpeQtral’s in-development quantum satellite with Thales’s first quantum ground station, which includes environmental sensors designed to measure how real-world atmospheric conditions affect quantum signal fidelity.

This partnership reflects a broader industrial strategy around enabling quantum communications at scale, not just through quantum key distribution (QKD), but by laying the groundwork for a future quantum internet. The planned demonstration involves testing the transmission of entangled photons between space and Earth, a foundational capability for a wide range of applications including distributed quantum computing, quantum sensing, and secure synchronization protocols.

While SpeQtral’s near-term commercial model is centered on space-based QKD, the technologies being validated, including entangled photon links, free-space optical channels, and environmental signal analysis, support the longer-term ambition of globally interconnected quantum information networks. These networks will allow quantum computers, sensors, and nodes to communicate securely and coherently across continents, extending the reach of quantum protocols far beyond terrestrial infrastructure.

What Is Quantum Communication — and Why Space?

Quantum communication uses the principles of quantum mechanics, especially entanglement and superposition, to transmit information in ways that are inherently secure. One of the most well-known applications is QKD, where encryption keys are shared using quantum states that, if observed or tampered with, alert both parties to an intrusion attempt.

This is intended for immunity from interception, including concerns around the future potential of quantum computers that are capable of breaking today’s public-key cryptosystems.

There are two main approaches to quantum key distribution: terrestrial and satellite-based. Both use the quantum properties of particles, typically photons, to transmit encryption keys that are secure by design. The difference is in how far those keys can be shared.

Terrestrial QKD uses fiber optic cables. While it works well over short distances, quantum signals weaken quickly due to scattering and absorption in the fiber. This limits practical range to a few hundred kilometers unless trusted nodes are used to relay the signal.

Space-based QKD sends photons through space, where signal loss is naturally much lower. This allows secure key exchange over thousands of kilometers and makes it possible to connect distant ground stations, which is an essential step toward a global quantum communication network.

SpeQtral’s quantum satellite and Thales’s quantum ground station are being developed to support the experimental validation of free-space quantum communication links, with a focus on entangled photon transmission between space and Earth. While this capability is necessary for quantum key distribution, it is also a foundational step toward broader quantum network applications, such as distributed quantum computing, precision time transfer, and the long-term vision of a global quantum internet.

Environmental Complexity Meets Quantum Fragility

While space reduces signal loss compared to fiber, it introduces other challenges, including temperature variation, atmospheric turbulence, and signal distortion as photons pass back through the atmosphere. To better understand and mitigate these effects, Thales Alenia Space is equipping its quantum ground station with environmental sensors that monitor local conditions and their impact on signal quality. These measurements will inform system calibration and help define the performance boundaries for future large-scale deployments.

This pairing of quantum optics and real-time environmental data is a hallmark of next-generation ground segment design. It suggests that the future of satellite quantum communication isn’t just about getting photons from point A to point B, but about managing the fidelity and resilience of that signal across changing conditions.

From Demo to Market: Mapping the Emerging Quantum Space Economy

The SpeQtral–Thales Alenia Space partnership reflects a broader trend of quantum entering the space domain. Numerous companies globally are now developing quantum payloads, photon sources, entangled photon pair emitters, quantum repeaters, and secure network architectures. As evidenced by a recent report from Space Insider on QKD, governments from Canada to the EU and China are actively investing in quantum-secure communication and orbital infrastructure.

But the market remains fragmented. Players operate at different levels of maturity, with diverging technical roadmaps and uncertain deployment timelines. For decision-makers across public and commercial sectors, understanding who is building what, and how close they are to operational readiness, is a growing challenge.

According to Space Insider’s QKD market analysis, the space-based QKD vendor market alone is projected to reach a cumulative value of $4.5B by 2030, growing from $0.5B in 2025 to $1.1B at a CAGR of 16%. This includes system integrators, ground station upgrades, terminal retrofits, and quantum interface development. Within that, QKD satellite vendors account for $3.7B of the projected value, reflecting the growing demand for payload and integration capabilities.

Yet vendor-side activity only tells part of the story. On the end-user side, the QKD market is projected to reach $3.5B annually by 2030, with a cumulative revenue opportunity of $9.3B over the 2025–2030 period. Government and diplomatic customers are expected to drive over 60% of this demand, particularly in the early years, as commercial uptake lags behind infrastructure rollout.

At Space Insider, we provide the tools and context to navigate this complexity.

Our platform maps real-time company activity, tracks partnership signals, and identifies which firms are actively advancing space-based QKD. Users can explore the underlying technologies these companies are developing, see how much funding they’ve secured, and assess where investment and innovation are converging.

Through our advisory services, we support agencies, OEMs, and integrators with tailored insight into market size, supply chain readiness, technology benchmarking, and procurement strategy. Whether shaping policy, scouting suppliers, or building go-to-market roadmaps, our intelligence helps clarify the commercial and strategic landscape.

Where Quantum in Space Stands and What Comes Next

The move toward space-based quantum communication reflects an evolving set of priorities around data security, national infrastructure, and global interoperability. As quantum technologies mature, space becomes an increasingly strategic domain.

Still, the move from demonstration to commercial deployment is nontrivial. The ecosystem is populated by a mix of early-stage ventures, established aerospace firms, and publicly funded initiatives, all operating on different timelines and technical baselines. As stakeholders push forward, the ability to understand who is building what, how, and with whom will be essential.

To explore the full market map and QKD insights, request access to our latest report or get a limited view of the platform here.

• SES and SpeQtral signed an MoU to build an interoperable Optical Ground Station (OGS) that will enable satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) links between Asia and Europe.
• The OGS will support current and future QKD satellite missions, including SpeQtral’s SpeQtre and SpeQtral-1 and SES’s EAGLE-1, creating a pathway toward a global quantum-secure satellite network.
• The first ground station is planned for Singapore, serving as a key node to link fibre-based QKD networks with low-Earth orbit satellites operating in Sun-Synchronous Orbits.
• mage: SES’s CEO Adel Al-Saleh and SpeQtral’s CEO Chune Yang LUM sign a Memorandum of Understanding Including: Mr Jonathan Hung, Executive Director at Office for Space Technology & Industry; Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport, Second Minister for Finance; Ms Elisabeth Margue, Minister of Justice, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Media and Connectivity, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister for Relations with Parliament; Mr Marc Serres, Chief Executive Officer, Luxembourg Space Agency.

PRESS RELEASE — SES and SpeQtral signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an interoperable Optical Ground Station (OGS) to establish long- distance satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between Asia and Europe.

Under the agreement, the development of an interoperable OGS will enable SES and SpeQtral to connect both companies’ current and future QKD satellite missions, resulting in easier access to, and diversity in the supply of long-distance QKD to end users in Asia, Europe and other future compatible ground stations worldwide. The integration of this proposed OGS with Singapore’s fibre-QKD network will help future customers integrate their networks with satellite QKD networks and demonstrate a practical pathway towards enabling a global QKD connectivity once the QKD satellites are operational.

SES and SpeQtral collaboration will reduce costs associated with quantum communication infrastructure, bridge a critical gap in the QKD service availability and lower barriers for global deployment and adoption.

The first such OGS is anticipated to be built in Singapore which already hosts a vibrant seedbed of quantum-safe activities including the National Quantum Safe Network Plus (NQSN+) initiative driven by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

SES and SpeQtral’s Expertise in QKD

Fibre-based QKD networks that are being deployed in major cities around the world will require a satellite-based QKD solution to form an interconnected global QKD network.

QKD satellites operate in Sun-Synchronous Orbits approximately 500 km away from the Earth’s surface, enabling global interconnectivity and laying the foundation for highly secure communications in the age of quantum computing.

SES, in collaboration with a consortium of European partners, is leading the development of the EAGLE-1 project to enable early access to long-distance QKD for ultra-secure data transmissions. The project, which includes both satellite and ground infrastructure, is co-funded by ESA national contributions and the European Commission, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to advancing quantum-secure communications.

SpeQtral is working on two QKD satellites, SpeQtre and SpeQtral-1, which are supported by the Office for Space Technology & Industry, Singapore (OSTIn). SpeQtre, a joint Singapore-UK mission set for launch later this year, will host SpeQtral’s space-qualified quantum-optics system which enables the establishment of quantum-secure encryption keys. OSTIn’s strong support for technological development in advanced space-based capabilities has played an important role in enabling local startups like SpeQtral, foster impactful international partnerships with the potential to shape the global quantum-security industry.

The MoU agreement was signed by the CEOs of both companies in Betzdorf, Luxembourg, during the State visit of Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES said, “Satellite-enabled Quantum Key Distribution is a fundamental technology for next-generation cyber security, allowing long-distance transmission of encryption keys. At SES we are delighted to bring our innovative expertise in developing secure,

interoperable networked solutions, joining efforts with like-minded ecosystem partner SpeQtral in implementing the next milestone of our quantum-secure vision. The agreement allows SES to expand into non-EU markets and serve commercial customers, including facilitating secure exchanges between entities based across different geographies.”

Chune Yang Lum, CEO of SpeQtral, said: “Our partnership with SES represents a significant step towards realising commercially viable space-based QKD. It is important that we build on each other’s expertise, to unlock synergies in this initial phase of enabling the interconnection of localised fibre-based quantum networks. By developing a shared OGS infrastructure, we are reducing costs and strengthening the foundation for a truly global quantum-secure network.”

Mr Jonathan Hung, Executive Director at OSTIn said: “The collaboration between SpeQtral and SES marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s quantum technology landscape that will strengthen secure global communications for the future. The partnership leverages SpeQtral’s strengths as one of the first quantum key distribution (QKD) companies, together with SES’s satellite QKD expertise and position of a global content and connectivity solutions provider – to make quantum communications more accessible worldwide and allow seamless services for end-users in Asia and Europe. We welcome more partnerships with companies to strengthen Singapore’s position at the forefront of quantum communications innovation and commercialisation.”

• Quantum Dice announces the launch and use of the Zenith Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), a product designed for space, to enable secure quantum communication technologies in the upcoming SpeQtral-1 satellite mission.
• SpeQtral-1, SpeQtral’s second quantum key distribution (QKD) satellite will serve as a commercial pathfinder and demonstrator to define the future of global quantum secure communication services.
• This pioneering mission features Quantum Dice’s Zenith QRNG, SpeQtral’s entanglement and weak coherent quantum payloads, and a laser communications system in a 16U CubeSat.

PRESS RELEASE — November 30, 2023 — Quantum Dice, a spinout from the University of Oxford’s quantum optics laboratory, and SpeQtral, a leading quantum communications technology company, proudly announce the launch and use of the Zenith Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), a product designed for space, to enable secure quantum communication technologies in the upcoming SpeQtral-1 satellite mission.

SpeQtral-1, SpeQtral’s second quantum key distribution (QKD) satellite, builds on the ongoing work on the SpeQtre mission as well as on technologies demonstrated on the 2019 SpooQy-1 CubeSat. It will serve as a commercial pathfinder and demonstrator to define the future of global quantum secure communication services. This pioneering mission features Quantum Dice’s Zenith QRNG, SpeQtral’s entanglement and weak coherent quantum payloads, and a laser communications system in a 16U CubeSat. This will allow SpeQtral to showcase and experiment with different quantum-secure protocols, including QKD based on entanglement, weak coherent pulses, as well as alternative higher-speed key delivery techniques. The range of methods will address various end-user requirements and applications, establishing SpeQtral-1 as a leader in compact quantum-safe key distribution satellites.

The Zenith QRNG is Quantum Dice’s first-ever space product. Crafted to deliver a high-rate, robust, and low Size, Weight, and Power consumption (SWaP) solution, the Zenith QRNG features Quantum Dice’s proprietary DISC^TM protocol. Boasting a world-leading data rate of 200 to 1000 Mbps, it sets a pioneering benchmark for secure quantum communication in space.

Marko von der Leyen, Quantum Dice CTO, remarked:

“Quantum Dice’s Zenith device has been engineered to withstand harsh environments in space without compromising on the security standards of the continuous live verification of our quantum randomness. We are proud to be a partner on the SpeQtral mission with our ultra-fast Gbps-class system, supporting an important domain of future communications.”

SpeQtral Co-Founder and CEO, Lum Chune Yang, further emphasised:

“SpeQtral-1 is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of secure communication in space. With Quantum Dice’s cutting-edge technology, we’re not just launching a satellite; we’re pioneering a new era of quantum communication, providing a range of quantum-safe key distribution capabilities. Our mission is to redefine the possibilities of secure communication, and SpeQtral-1 is a crucial step in that journey.”

Contact Information:

SpeQtral

Rachel Goh

Communications & Marketing Manager

rachel@speqtral.space

Quantum Dice

info@quantum-dice.com

SOURCE: SpeQtral

Featured image: Credit: SpeQtral

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• SpeQtral has chosen Kongsberg NanoAvionics as the satellite bus provider for its upcoming SpeQtral-1 mission.
• The second partner in this mission is Mbryonics, producing the satellite’s optical terminal.
• SpeQtral-1 will serve as a pathfinder commercial demonstrator, defining future quantum key distribution (QKD) services.

PRESS RELEASE — Singapore & Vilnius, Lithuania / August 16, 2023 — SpeQtral, a leading quantum communication technology company, has chosen Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) as the satellite bus provider for its upcoming SpeQtral-1 mission. The second partner in this mission is Mbryonics, producing the satellite’s optical terminal.

Using the technical expertise of NanoAvionics as a leading smallsat bus manufacturer and mission integrator, and Mbryonics’s state-of-the-art optical terminal hardware, SpeQtral-1 will serve as a pathfinder commercial demonstrator, defining future quantum key distribution (QKD) services.

SpeQtral-1 is aimed at providing communications services that require quantum security, as traditional cryptographic techniques are threatened by the emergence of quantum computing. The nanosatellite is based on NanoAvionics’s high-performance and multi-purpose M16P bus, which has been flight proven during multiple Earth observation missions. The satellite’s quantum-optical terminal by Mbryonics will transmit QKD photons from the satellite’s hardware down to optical ground stations.

The mission is also slated to be used alongside SpeQtre (expected to launch this year) as the space segment for the ESA INT-UQKD programme, which will explore international use cases for operational QKD applications and services.

SpeQtral-1 will be SpeQtral’s second QKD satellite, following the SpeQtre technology demonstrator mission, itself built on technologies demonstrated on the 2019 SpooQy-1 CubeSat.

SpeQtral cited NanoAvionics’s “consistent track record of building and successfully launching satellite missions, its invaluable expertise and an impressive portfolio of accomplishments as the reason for the mission selection”.

Rob Bedington, CTO of SpeQtral, said:

“We are thrilled that NanoAvionics and Mbryonics have taken up the challenge of collaborating on this groundbreaking, state-of-the-art mission. Making a laser comms mission is no easy feat, and integrating QKD takes the challenge to a whole new level!

“Our partners expertise and capabilities tesselate perfectly with our own and our vision of quantum-safe keys delivered by CubeSats. We look forwards to building the future of global secure connectivity together.”

Co-Founder and CEO, Lum Chune Yang, said:

“The SpeQtral-1 mission offers promising business prospects, enabling SpeQtral-delivered QKD services and serving as a reference for future QKD satellite products. The quantum-optical terminal, a joint effort of SpeQtral and Mbryonics, presents a compact QKD and laser communications transmitter product ready for integration into satellites of all sizes. This will pave the way for organisations or sovereign nations with quantum security requirements to incorporate this cutting-edge product into their bespoke satellite missions.”

“This collaboration with SpeQtral and Mbryonics signifies a critical step into the quantum era, promising revolutionary enhancements to secure communications,” said Vytenis J. Buzas, CEO of NanoAvionics. “Using our experience in swiftly delivering in-orbit demonstration missions with our modular smallsat platforms, we’re prepared to navigate the future of quantum communications. Our partnership also showcases the ability of industry leaders to join forces across continents, transcending borders, and echoing the power of global cooperation in pioneering technological advancements.”

“We are deeply honoured that SpeQtral has chosen Mbryonics as their optical communications technology partner for this groundbreaking SpeQtral-1 mission,” said John Mackey, CEO at Mbryonics. “This project represents a significant step towards building a more secure world, and we are excited to contribute our expertise and advanced solutions to make it a reality.

“With a shared vision of pushing the boundaries of quantum communication, Mbryonics, NanoAvionics and SpeQtral have embarked on a remarkable journey to revolutionise secure communication channels through quantum key distribution (QKD). SpeQtral’s trust in our expertise and technology is a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence that drives both our organisations. Our team of dedicated engineers and experts have poured their passion and knowledge into developing a cutting-edge solution that promises to set new benchmarks in secure and unbreakable communication.”

SOURCE: NanoAvionics

Featured image: Credit: NanoAvionics

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