Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat)
- Launch: –
- Mission duration: 1 year, with possibility to extend for 1 year
- Mission status: In development
In the era of online banking, smart phones, and cloud networks that store vast arrays of personal information, reliable data encryption is essential. But the technology used to protect our information today will soon become inadequate with the emergence of powerful, high-speed quantum computers. The exceptional processing power of these next-generation computers will easily break current encryption codes which protect our passwords and personal identification numbers. It is estimated that this technology will become widely available within the next 10 to 20 years. So, how can we safeguard our privacy and continue to exchange sensitive information in the future?
The Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) mission will demonstrate quantum key distribution (QKD) in space. QKD is a technology that creates virtually unbreakable encryption codes and will provide Canada with secure communications in the age of quantum computing. QEYSSat will bring Canada a step closer to the realization of a truly secure communication infrastructure that will enable national and even global interconnection.
What is quantum key distribution?
QKD technology was created to respond to the threat associated with emerging quantum technologies. This new technique will ensure the confidentiality of information exchanged between two parties – it uses photons (individual particles of light) and the laws of physics to generate private encryption keys between two users.
QKD enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, which can then be used to encrypt and decrypt messages. An important and unique property of QKD is its capacity to detect the presence of any third party trying to intercept the key. QKD is only used to produce and distribute a key, not to transmit a message.
The space advantage
Although ground-based QKD devices are commercially available today, their capacity is very limited. Existing systems rely on fibre optic cables to transmit quantum particles on land, but the signal becomes unreliable at a distance of over 200 kilometres. In order to integrate QKD with all forms of communication technology across the world, the network must be able to use satellites instead of cables.
The QEYSSat mission will perform a demonstration of QKD from space. Individual photons will be sent through a laser link from a ground station to a microsatellite, which will use the QKD protocol to establish a key shared by both the ground station and the satellite. This protocol can also be used to share a key between two ground stations using the satellite as a secure node. This trial will allow Canadian scientists to study how QKD behaves in space, and lay the groundwork for a global network supporting the exchange of encryption keys over long distances.
Canada's method of QKD involves generating a key using quantum encryption with a satellite and two ground-based stations, and then using that key to encrypt a message that is sent using a traditional method. (Credit: Canadian Space Agency)
Benefits on Earth
Since the encryption key cannot be compromised, it is virtually impossible to crack, regardless of any current or future technology. Integrating this technology into our communication networks would guarantee the privacy of Canadians' public, private, and commercial data.
Collaborators
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will fund this technology demonstration mission.
The CSA has selected the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) to lead the science of the QEYSSat mission on behalf of the Canadian Government. Recognized internationally as a centre of excellence in quantum computing, IQC will represent the science team for the Government of Canada and in that capacity will lead QEYSSat scientific support, QKD application and demonstration development, and quantum source development for the ground station. It will also provide the QEYSSat industrial team with the required expertise.
The CSA has selected Honeywell for the design and implementation phases of the QEYSSat mission. Under this contract, Honeywell will build, test, deliver, launch, commission and provide training for QEYSSat and the primary quantum ground station.