China plans to launch a new satellite, which may become the first link in the new communication network of a new generation. With the help of the QUESS apparatus weighing 600 kilograms, which is planned to be put into orbit in August of this year, scientists are going to conduct the first quantum experiment in space, which in the future can open the door to the emergence of a “quantum space Internet”.
A special crystal aboard the QUESS spacecraft will generate pairs of "entangled" photons and launch them at receiving stations located in China and Austria. The ground science teams, in turn, will conduct research and see if these photons remain connected, even if they are separated by a distance of 1200 kilometers.
The quantum entanglement method is able to make a real revolution in cryptology. Since changing one entangled photon instantly changes the properties of another photon of this pair, these photons can be used to create encryption keys. In other words, any impact on one photon will change the state of another photon, which, in turn, will indicate the appearance of a hole in the defense.
They tried to carry out a similar effect as part of ground-based experiments at a distance of 300 kilometers; however, the photons that were launched via fiber optic lines, unfortunately, eventually scattered, making it impossible to carry out the necessary measurements. The QUESS satellite, in turn, will “shoot” photons from space.
The experiment is planned to be carried out for about two years, however, according to physicist Chaoyang Liu, "if the first satellite shows good results, China will definitely launch several more similar devices." According to the calculations of a specialist, about 20 such spacecraft will be required to create a fully-fledged, secure, quantum system of space communications.
It should be noted that similar developments are conducted by Canadian scientists. The researchers are also planning to create entangled photons and “shoot” them from the Earth into tiny “Kubsat” microsatellites in near-Earth orbit. Italian specialists, in turn, plan to launch intricate photons from mirrors mounted on satellites already in orbit.
According to the researchers, for the past ten years since the beginning of such space experiments, it will be possible to create a fully protected "space Internet". In addition, quantum satellites can be combined together and create on their base a space telescope with fantastic resolution.
The article is based on materials .
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