| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/Z533956/1 |
| Title: |
Intercontinental Quantum Key Distribution via the QEYSSat mission |
| Principal Investigator: |
Fedrizzi, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Engineering and Physical Science |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research TFS |
| Starts: |
10 December 2024 |
Ends: |
09 December 2027 |
Value (£): |
590,645
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| New & Emerging Comp. Paradigms |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
Quantum communication allows for unconditionally safe encryption of messages between communicating parties. In terrestrial networks, communication distances are limited to 100s of km due to fibre loss. The currently best option to overcome this limitation and enable quantum communication and networking on a global scale is to exchange quantum light between ground stations and satellites.
In this project, our team will conduct intercontinental quantum key distribution between metropolitan networks in the UK and Canada. This will be achieved by exchanging entangled photons from an established optical ground station terminal near Heriot-Watt University to the Canadian QEYSSat low-earth orbit satellite launched in Q4 2024 by the Canadian QEYSSat consortium which is led by the University of Waterloo and include the Canadian Space Agency and Honeywell Canada.
The project leverages significant investments in the UK quantum space infrastructure, and complements UK-funded cubesat missions SPOQC and SPEQTRE, which will provide quantum downlinks to local ground stations. QEYSSat will allow for quantum uplinks from the ground, establishing the ground station as a true quantum internet node that can be accessed by our industry stakeholders.`
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |