Quantum computing is on the near horizon (we predict between 3-5 years).  OODA’s Executive’s Guide to Quantum Computing  provides an overview of the complicated fundamentals involved. This post is the second in a series of articles that will discuss the various use cases for quantum technologies and how these new developments may shape the competitive landscape.

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is an exciting application of quantum technologies that has exploded in the past decade.  QKD is used to share encryption keys across an established optical link or network. QKD can be used to generate a secure, shared secret key between two users. This key is then used in an algorithm to encrypt message traffic.  The big advantage QKD offers is that any attempt to read the information stored in the photons would destroy the message and be immediately detected. Quantum cryptography is fundamentally viable today in the laboratory and used in some high-end security applications, like banking and stock trading, that can rely on dedicated short distance physical fibers.

Having a tamper-evident key distribution method that can be done without physical contact would be especially useful in space. Several countries (China, UK, Canada and Japan) have proven the ability to conduct QKD with a ground station to a satellite in orbit – dramatically changing the possibilities.  The US, however, is using a slower “wait-and-see” approach, especially within the government, waiting for the technology to mature and accreditation and standardization issues to resolve.

In 2018, Congress created the National Quantum Initiative Act, which outlined a ten-year plan to accelerate quantum technologies.  Defense Science Board looked at Applications of Quantum Technologies a few years ago and decided QKD in space was worth studying, but not a high priority for investment.  Air Force has traditionally been the DoD’s lead service for all-things Space, and their multi-service Defense Optical Channel Program (DOC-P) made a significant investigation into QKD in space, specifically by building up a ground station that could work with future on-orbit demonstrations.

In 2020, US Space Force (USSF) was established and much of the QKD in space efforts have been folded under their authority.  USSF did a review of the existing quantum efforts last year and produced a White Paper that laid out priorities for future investments in quantum technologies.  While confirming their commitment to focus on quantum sensing, not QKD, USSF acknowledged a significant level of discomfort in China’s QKD in space lead and is committing resources to reduce the technology gap.

We have witnessed the massive scale of China’s investments and experimentations in QKD in space.   Their Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) project will include a series of satellites and ground stations to test space based quantum technologies.  Their Micius satellite was launched in 2016 and is solely dedicated to quantum science experiments. Last year, China declared that they had successfully demonstrated QKD between a ground station and the Micius satellite. While some experts speculate over the validity of the results, it has significantly increased the interest DoD Scientists, who appear to be no longer comfortable just monitoring the research

While the physics is the interesting part of QKD, the more monotonous work of creating standards and accreditations for QKD in space is being completed by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).  They are currently engaging in a global effort to identify quantum resistant algorithms and standardization. This work is necessary to commercialize the technology.

Our new National Defense Strategy is all about staying ahead of China, particularly in areas of technologies that are critical to national defense.  The cybersecurity of our space assets is critical to pretty much everything we do. While DoD regularly prepares for and trains to succeed in a denied space environment, no one wants to go there.  Quantum satellites will be a big part of our future.