Q-Design is made up of a consortium of 15 companies and organizations that will be responsible for developing this pioneering project and designing services that provide value to the end user.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced an agreement with Hispasat for the development of the initial phase of Q-Design, the first project worldwide to combine Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) through geostationary and low orbit satellites and terrestrial infrastructure. In this way, Q-Design will enable the design of QKD services in which users can securely exchange keys through any of these channels, depending on the conditions required at any given time. This initial phase will be dedicated to performing a feasibility study for the space segment and ground segment components required to provide QKD services using GEO and LEO orbits, in close collaboration with end users/customers and to evaluate the integration with QKD ground networks. The agreement between ESA’s Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, and Hispasat was signed today during the International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget.
Please find more information here: https://www.hispasat.com/en/press-room/press-releases/archivo-2025/483/hispasat-y-la-esa-acuerdan-desarrollar-el-primer-sistema-qkd-que-combina-la-entrega-de-claves-cuanticas-desde-orbitas-geo-y-leo
Origin of text: https://www.hispasat.com/en/press-room/press-releases/archivo-2025/483/hispasat-y-la-esa-acuerdan-desarrollar-el-primer-sistema-qkd-que-combina-la-entrega-de-claves-cuanticas-desde-orbitas-geo-y-leo
Foto von David Peters auf Unsplash