NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2016-051A
The Quantum Science Satellite – nicknamed Micius – is the first spacecraft to establish quantum communications between space and Earth by creating entangled photon pairs over great distances and testing the principles of quantum teleportation.
One of the major objectives of the mission is to set a Quantum Key Distribution from satellite to ground, setting an ultra-long-range quantum channel between ground and satellite with the assistance of high-precision acquisition, tracking and pointing system, implement a quantum key distribution between the satellite and the ground stations, and carry out unconditional secure quantum communication experiments. The mission will also create a global-scale quantum communication network, establishing a real wide-area network for quantum communication using the satellite repeater and two arbitrary quantum ground stations and their auxiliary local-area fiber quantum networks. It will also test the Quantum Entanglement Distribution from satellite to two ground stations in China and in Europe, creating a real wide-area network for quantum communication using the satellite repeater and two arbitrary quantum ground stations and their auxiliary local-area fiber quantum networks. The Austrian Academy of Sciences provided the optical receivers for the European ground stations. Finally, the QSS plans to achieve Quantum Teleportation from ground to satellite as a totally new way of communication, quantum teleportation is the fundamental process of quantum networks and quantum computing. A high-quality quantum entanglement source on the ground will be built to achieve ground-to-satellite teleportation experiments based on photon entanglement. The Quantum Science Satellite consists of several different subsystems: the attitude control subsystem, power subsystem, thermal control subsystem, telemetry and command subsystem, communications subsystem, structure subsystem, and housekeeping subsystem.
Launch Date: 2016-08-15
Launch Vehicle: Long March 2D
Launch Site: Jiuquan, Peoples Republic of China
Mass: 500 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office