The PIONIER-Q-SAT project introduces the proposal for establishing a satellite quantum communication infrastructure (QCI) between the PIONIER-Q network in Poland and other QCI terrestrial and satellite networks in Europe, particularly Lithuania. This cross-border QC| link, along with local infrastructure to implement, is a key element to contribute to Euro QI infrastructure and initiative. The project will install the transportable (mobile) Optical Ground Station (OGS) for the satellite QKD connectivity along with the connection with the National QCI networks. The OGS will be interconnected with the demonstrator satellite Eagle-1. Moreover, the Project assumes the preparation for interconnection with the Euro QCI first-generation satellite (developed under the ESA SAGA program) by building a QKD receiver compatible with polarization encoding and, to the extent possible, creating an interoperable OGS. The connection with National QCI will be implemented using dedicated dark fiber infrastructure provided by partners and managed and maintained jointly by the partners. A quantum-protected communication service will be established between the EuroQCI and NASK CSIRT – Polish National SOC (part of the European CSIRT network).
Project funding:
The project is funded by European Union funds under The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in Telecom programme
Project results:
The successful realization of PIONIER-Q-SAT initiative will result in:
One new transportable OGS installed for Polish purposes with the capability to serve also neighboring countries (particularly Lithuania),
Two QKD receivers deployed:
one for Eagle-1 (validated with Eagle-1 consortium – particularly SES), one for EuroQCI first-generation satellite (developed under the ESA SAGA program), 4 data centers serving the Government needs to be connected with QKD links and capable of hosting OGS,integration with existing PIONIER-Q backbone network in two network exchange points in order to deliver keys to any connected institution (including the cross-border link to Lithuania), a quantum-protected communication service between the EuroQC| and NASK CSIRT – Polish National SOC (which is part of the European CSIRT network) established, cooperation with other OGS manufactures and owners – exchange on possible cooperation for OGS testing with QUBE satellite is initiated, many connected countries.
Period of project implementation: 2026-01-01 - 2029-06-30
Project coordinator: NAUKOWA I AKADEMICKA SIEC KOMPUTEROWA PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT BADAWCZY (NASK)
Project partners: Kaunas University of Technology, Instytut Chemii Bioorganicznej Polskiej Akademii Nauk, WOJSKOWA AKADEMIA TECHNICZNA IM.JAROSLAWA DABROWSKIEGO (WAT), CREOTECH INSTRUMENTS SPOLKA AKCYJNA (CTI)
