CARAMUEL Phase A

The final objective of the proposed mission is to develop, manufacture, test and put in operation a Quantum Key Distribution System based on Geostationary Orbit. This system shall be based on a payload that shall fly hosted as secondary payload in the Hispasat’s SPaceQR Satellite.

The quantum communications payload proposed in this mission represents a step beyond the state of the art since it is the first implementation of a quantum key distribution channel from geostationary orbit. This new service will involve the implementation of a complete communications system not currently available that will require the development of new technological elements and the adaptation for its operation in space of technologies such as photon sources, telescopes for optical communications compatible with quantum state transmission or processors for the distillation of quantum keys, as well as a whole new ground segment to control and manage the new quantum key distribution service and its integration into a future European secure quantum communications network.