- In partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Starion starts a new programmatic extension to the International Use Cases for Operational QKD Applications and Services (INT-UQKD) project, focusing on interoperability between quantum networks using quantum key distribution (QKD).
- The 3-year Belgium extension to the INT-UQKD project will include development of a software component linking INT-UQKD and BENELUX-QCI.
- The consortium includes project lead Starion Luxembourg, Starion Belgium and sister company Nexova, as well as IMEC, AMOS and the Royal Military Academy of Belgium.
Starion Belgium is joining forces with Starion Luxembourg in a 3-year extension to the INT-UQKD project, which is demonstrating use cases for quantum key distribution (QKD) by deploying pre-operational capability in real-life international IT environments. The primary focus of the new extension in Belgium is interoperability between independently developed quantum communication infrastructures (QCIs) using INT-UQKD network components.
Multiple national and regional QCIs are being developed in Europe, including the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), an initiative by the European Commission. The objective now is to enable seamless quantum-safe communications across different QCIs.
The INT-UQKD project is supported by ESA’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES). More specifically, the Belgium extension to the INT-UQKD project is being funded by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) through ESA’s ARTES strategic programme line ‘Space Systems for Safety and Security’ (4S).
During the Belgium extension to INT-UQKD, the consortium led by Starion Luxembourg will develop and prove the security and operational capabilities of a software component that can enable continuous QKD across the INT-UQKD network and BENELUX-QCI, a joint initiative by Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. This will then provide the foundations for a future standard for interconnection between any QCIs.
Silvia de Castro Garcia, Starion Managing Director, said: “When quantum computers have evolved sufficiently to break traditional cryptographic techniques, networks such as INT-UQKD that use QKD and post-quantum cryptography will be essential to ensure safe communications for critical applications. But in addition, users need to be able to trust that they can communicate safely between any endpoints, which is why having a solution that works across all QCIs is essential. We’re delighted that we’re able to address this in the latest extension to our INT-UQKD project with the European Space Agency.”
Consortium roles
Starion Luxembourg will oversee the project, defining the requirements, objectives and system and security design for the demonstration use cases, as well as undertaking security risk assessments and activities towards future certification. Consortium partner Starion Belgium will undertake project management and engineering tasks, including infrastructure deployment and implementation of QKD network interoperability. In parallel, Starion’s sister company Nexova will build a security operations centre (SOC) for INT-UQKD at its Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Transinne, Belgium, and be responsible for proving that the new software component is provably secured.
The other partners are IMEC, AMOS and the Royal Military Academy of Belgium. IMEC will develop a prototype for free-space applications using continuous variable QKD (CV-QKD), an alternative quantum cryptography technique, while the Royal Military Academy will analyse quantum-safe cryptography surrounding QKD and characterise post-quantum cryptography QKD (PQC-QKD) hybridisation schemes. AMOS will perform a gap analysis to upgrade an operational optical antenna at ESA’s European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Redu into a fully capable QKD optical ground station.
The project is being made possible thanks to contributions by two organisations: Belnet, which is enabling access to BENELUX-QCI, and IDELUX, the development agency for the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium, which is offering use of its quantum research laboratory, also located in Transinne.
About ESA’s Space Systems for Safety & Security (4S) programme
ESA is Europe’s gateway to space, coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its Member States to conduct space programmes and activities. Part of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), the Space Systems for Safety & Security (4S) strategic programme line develops innovative secure satellite communication systems, integrating them with terrestrial networks where relevant. These systems aim to enhance the safety, resilience and security of our critical infrastructures and applications, including transportation across land, air and sea. Additionally, they support governmental operations such as border control and law enforcement.
The 4S initiative aims to support European and national institutions and public bodies in building satellite communications tailored to their needs, while also maintaining Europe’s position at the forefront of the global secure communications market. By fostering growth in this domain, the initiative contributes to creating a safer and more resilient society in Europe and beyond.
Learn more at connectivity.esa.int/artes-4-0-programme-overview/safety-security
