China’s quantum communication satellite launch

August 16, 2016

On Tuesday, August 16th at 01:40 Beijing time, China successfully launched its sci-fi-sounding “Quantum Science Satellite” from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China’s Gobi Desert. The 600-plus-kilogram satellite, nicknamed “Micius,” road aboard a Long March 2D rocket. It is the third of four planned space science satellites for the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Strategic Priority Research Program on space science, launched in 2011.

According to a recent report by Xinhua, the satellite will make one complete revolution around Earth every 90 minutes as it tests out a new hack-proof communication system utilizing the spooky science of quantum entanglement. The satellite will beam entangled photons that function like cryptological keys between two stations on Earth separated by some 1,200 kilometers. Since quantum photons are inseparable, they can’t be intercepted or broken, which is why quantum communication could be the next big breakthrough in cybersecurity.

If all goes to plan, China’s quantum communication satellite could pioneer how sensitive information gets pinged back and forth on a global scale.

“If China is going to send more quantum communication satellites into orbit, we can expect a global network of quantum communications to be set up around 2030,” Pan Jianwei, chief scientist with CAS, told the Xinhua News Agency. This network would eventually be employed by governments, financial institutions, and even in broadcasting and television, the National Business Daily reports. With an estimated potential market value of over $7.5 billion, it’s no surprise that both governments and private companies alike are interested in funding new technologies which utilize quantum science.

Last week, it was reported that the National Science Foundation invested $12 million to develop a quantum communication system for secure transmissions over fiber optic cables.