A rocket carrying a satellite from a commercial aerospace zone in China explodes
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A small quantum satellite created a safe link between ground stations in China and South Africa, with quantum-encrypted data shared at a record distance of 12,900 km. Similar microsatelites can become part of future quantum internet.
The record-breaking feat in October 2024, was also notable for the use of a satellite with a small, light payload-an important idea for article launch. The small equipment riding in Jonan -1 microsatelite weighs only 23 kg, which was about 10 times less than the previous use payload.
Petit Quantum Satellites like Jinan -1 enable the possibility of launching several satellites in a shot with the same space launcher, as is with Starlinks for SpaceX Internet, ” Laurent de forge’s de Parni In the Thales Ellenia Space, the headquarters of a space technology company in France.
In this experiment, researchers used the quantum states of Photon to produce secret keys for data encrypting and decrying data. The keys were used to encoded images-the great wall of China and the pictures of South Africa’s Steelbosh University-and then broadcast between Jinan-1 satellite and various ground stations using lasers and binoculars. Under the leadership of research team Gianvi pan At the University of Science and Technology, China, showed this quantum major distribution process 20 times, including a record-setting 12,900 km test.
This showcase has limitations for quantum technology. Jinan -1 satellite seems to be optimized for “quantum key distribution, and not going to perform more common quantum communication functions like teleportation, or complication distribution” Alexander gender At the National University of Singapore. Nevertheless, praising the gender, performance, says that it can become part of the actual communication network within the next decade.
Quantum key delivery “The first practical quantum communication usage can be seen as the case” and “the first step towards the quantum information network, called” de forges de Parni. “Chinese activities will definitely help develop a second generation of small satellites for quantum internet,” they say.
Jonan -1 was originally launched in 2022, and PAN stated that China plans to send one and two or three quantum satellites in 2025. Other countries are fearing launching their own quantum satellite by 2026. Thales Allenia Space is leading one such one. ProjectF funded by European Space Agency; US aerospace company Boeing is working Another,
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