Chinese research institutes are working to create a quantum communication network using satellites in low, medium and high Earth orbits. Pan Jianwei, academic from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAN) and member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made these comments in a media interview on the sidelines of China’s Annual Political Meeting on March 4. Sessions in Beijing.

“We are collaborating with the National Center for Space Sciences on the development of a mid- and high-Earth orbit satellite. According to Yicai Global, Pan said in the future, the combination of high-orbiting satellites and low-Earth orbiting satellites will create a global quantum communications network.”

The network will use elements of quantum mechanics to encrypt and securely transmit information. The plan builds on breakthroughs made by China’s Quantum Science Satellite 2016, also known as Mozi or Micius. The Pan-led mission conducted experiments on quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum entanglement distribution, and quantum teleportation.

Reports of Pan’s comments did not provide additional details about the planned network, but previous posts do provide some insight. The first step would be to create three or five small satellites focused on QKD, which create entangled particles with a mass of less than 100 kilograms to be used as quantum switches. They will be sent into sun-synchronous orbits (SSOs) at an altitude of 800 kilometers, according to a 2022 paper written by Pan et al. at CAS and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).

LEO satellites will provide intercity communication, and satellites in higher orbits will provide intercontinental quantum communication. CAS, USTC and others collaborated in the development of the Jinan-1 satellite, launched in 2022 on a CAS fission-driven Lijian-1 rocket. The satellite is perhaps the first QKD test satellite for the LEO network and has demonstrated downsizing of key technologies.

The first high-orbiting satellite, previously called the “MEO-GEO satellite,” would allow for longer duration tests as LEO or SSO satellites pass overhead in minutes. It will carry a 600mm diameter telescope to transmit the photons. Satellites in a higher orbit will make it possible to create a global quantum communications network that will work all day.

China is also building compact ground stations for the network. So far, this has made it possible to demonstrate the quantum connection between the Mozi satellite and the cities of Beijing, Jinan, Weihai, Lijiang and Mohe. In recent years, China has included quantum communications and quantum computing in its list of breakthrough technology megaprojects by 2030, marking it as a strategically thriving industry.

The European Space Agency also wants to develop a quantum communication network, and governments, including the US and UK, are cooperating in this area. The 2016 Mozi mission was designed by the CAS and NSSC institute as part of China’s first space mission. scientific missions The second and third rounds of missions are currently being developed and reviewed by CAS.