Eagle-1 (satellite system)

2022: Europe creates sovereign satellite system for secure information exchange

At the end of September 2022, it became known that a consortium of 20 European companies, led by SES S.A., with the support of the European Space Agency and the European Commission, will develop and launch the Eagle-1 satellite complex. The system is designed to safely distribute quantum keys, which will provide in-orbit verification and next-generation cyber security demonstrations across Europe.

The main goal of the Eagle-1 is to test quantum key distribution (QKD) over a long distance, the main technology of quantum encryption. Space offers means to implement QKD using laser communications at longer distances than is possible with ground-based systems.

Signing an agreement on the launch of the satellite complex Eagle-1

The spacecraft weighing about 300 kg will be built by the Italian company Sitael, and Tesat will provide optical communication terminals. The spacecraft will operate in 500km of solar-synchronous orbit, making several flights a day over European ground stations, which will be enough to test the system. According to the developers, the launch will be carried out on a European device under a contract that will be announced in the near future.

The cost of the program, including satellite and ground systems, is about $130 million. Eight ESA member countries - Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland will contribute to the project, along with support from the European Commission. The technologies demonstrated at the Eagle-1 can be included in the European Commission's planned system of secure communications satellites under the European Quantum Communications Initiative (EuroQCI) program.

To implement an ultra-secure cryptographic key exchange system, the Eagle-1 consortium will develop: a QKD payload, a terrestrial optical station, scalable quantum operating networks, a key management system for interacting with national QCI infrastructures. The system is scheduled to launch in 2024 with a three-year mission, with tests to be carried out by 2025.^[1]

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