Eagle-1

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Wikipedia

Eagle-1
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorEuropean Union European Union
European Space Agency
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLuxembourg SES
Start of mission
Launch date2026 or 2027 (planned)
RocketVega C

Eagle-1 is a future European technology demonstration satellite for in-orbit demonstration of space-based quantum key distribution.[1][2][3][4] The satellite was developed by a consortium of companies led by the Luxembourg-headquartered SES for the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA).[5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Eagle-1 is the first step in development of a sovereign European quantum communication infrastructure,[12][13][14][15] specifically the EuroQCI network.[16][17][18][19] The satellite will be launched to low-Earth orbit[4] on a Vega C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana[20][21][22] in late 2026 or early 2027.[23][5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Andrew Jones (15 October 2022). "Europe plans to launch a quantum encryption satellite for ultrasecure communications in 2024". Space. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  2. ↑ Hiemstra, Thomas; Hasler, David; Paone, Domenico; Reichert, Fabian; Heine, Frank; Struck, Julian (2025). "The European satellite-based QKD system EAGLE-1". In Hemmati, Hamid; Robinson, Bryan S. (eds.). Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVII. p. 30. arXiv:2505.20838v1. doi:10.1117/12.3042856. ISBN 978-1-5106-8458-4.
  3. ↑ EAGLE-1: Delivering satellite-enabled QKD solution
  4. 1 2 "Satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD)". Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 "Eagle-1". www.esa.int. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Eagle-1: New European partnership to boost Cyber Resilience with Quantum Technology - Defence Industry and Space". defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "SES, ESA and European Commission Partnering to Deliver Satellite Quantum Cryptography System for European Cybersecurity". Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  8. ↑ Swayne, Matt (16 November 2023). "SES-led EAGLE-1 Onboards TNO and Airbus to Deliver Ground Station for Quantum Key Distribution". The Quantum Insider. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Juste, Louis (10 May 2024). "SES Leads Eagle-1 Towards European Cybersecurity And The Quantum Internet". Silicon Luxembourg. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Lafleur, Alyssa (11 May 2023). "SES and TESAT to Develop Payload for Europe's First Quantum Cryptography LEO Satellite System EAGLE-1". Space Insider. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "Eagle-1: comment SES est au cœur du futur". paperjam.lu (in French). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Page, Cameron. "SES pencils in early-2030s for enterprise quantum comms rollout". TelcoTitans.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "EAGLE-1 to boost Cyber Resilience with Quantum Technology". 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Foust, Jeff (23 September 2022). "SES considering quantum cryptography satellite system". SpaceNews. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  15. ↑ Calistro-Rivera, Gabriela; Heirich, Oliver; Shrestha, Amita; Ferenczi, Agnes; Duliu, Alexandru; Eppinger, Jakob; Castella, Bruno Femenia; Fuchs, Christian; Garbagnati, Elisa (4 December 2024), Building Europe's first space-based Quantum Key Distribution system -- The German Aerospace Center's role in the EAGLE-1 mission, arXiv:2412.03222
  16. ↑ "ESA and European Commission to build quantum-secure space communications network". www.esa.int. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  17. ↑ "ESA launches €50M quantum communications mission with Thales Alenia Space".
  18. ↑ "European Quantum Communication Infrastructure - EuroQCI | Shaping Europe's digital future". digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  19. ↑ "European Quantum Communication Infrastructure - The EuroQCI initiative - Works | ERRIN Website". errin.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  20. ↑ epp (9 November 2022). "SES Selects Arianespace to Launch EAGLE-1 Satellite for Europe's Quantum Cryptography". Newsroom Arianespace. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  21. ↑ "SES Eagle-1 to fly on Arianespace to offer quantum connectivity | Computer Weekly". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  22. ↑ SpaceRef (9 November 2022). "SES Selects Arianespace to Launch EAGLE-1 Satellite for Europe's Quantum Cryptography". SpaceNews. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "EAGLE-1 | Vega C | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.