ROKS Satellite

Demonstrate satellite-to-Earth Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for augmentation of future encryption services.

Demonstrate satellite-to-Earth Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for augmentation of future encryption services.

ROKS will also carry a responsive operations payload which will demonstrate neural networks working in-orbit for cloud detection and decision making without always relying on ground station to send commands to the satellite.

ROKS will pave the way for groundbreaking changes in data protection and encryption and onboard automation.

There are various kinds of QKD protocols. Some protocols require single photons to be transmitted between Alice and Bob (Single Photon QKD). But producing single-photon states is hard, and thus, many times, weak-coherent laser pulses are used instead (Weak-Coherent Laser Pulse QKD). A second kind of QKD requires the use of an entangled photon source which sends pairs of entangled photons to both Alice and Bob (Entangled Photon QKD).

The Responsive Operations for Key Services (ROKS) pathfinder mission will demonstrate technologies for future secure telecommunication systems using quantum communications and supported by artificial intelligence. The goal of the current phase will be to produce a payload ready for launch and demonstration in 2022/23. In addition to the University of Strathclyde, the company will lead a consortium including the University of Bristol and Fraunhofer UK.