HRL Laboratories Boeing Quantum Space Mission Key Validation
Boeing and HRL Laboratories achieved a critical Q4S satellite mission milestone. We built and tested a crucial quantum communication subassembly that shows four-photon quantum entanglement switching in space
Boeing is using a “ground twin” approach for mission assurance, in which the verified subassembly will function as a duplicate of the currently-produced on-orbit payload
The release highlights the collaboration between Boeing and HRL Laboratories in this “pioneering demonstration
The validated subassembly will be the “ground twin to mirror the on-orbit payload which is currently in production
Validation tests were successful in demonstrating “quantum entanglement for each of the two sources in this subassembly
The performance of each photon source was demonstrated by its “fidelity between 0.8 and 0.9” and its ability to detect “over 2,500 matching photon pairs per second
Quantum key distribution (QKD) via satellite might provide unbreakable encryption for commercial, military, and government communications across long distances
One important technique for expanding the scope of quantum networks and maybe opening the door to the development of a global quantum internet is entanglement swapping
This mission will contribute to the general maturity of quantum technologies by offering useful information and expertise in deploying and running intricate quantum systems in the hostile environment of space