Creotech Instruments S.A., a Polish space mission integrator listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has joined an international project to develop a prototype multi-purpose Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) receiver for ground stations receiving cryptographic keys from satellites. Ultimately, the company plans to create an entire product line in quantum communications, supported by leading EU programs. The value of the European Space Agency (ESA) contract is approximately EUR 950,000.
Implementing satellite-based QKD requires costly and advanced ground-segment infrastructure built around Optical Ground Stations (OGS) equipped with dedicated receivers. To date, QKD receivers have typically been designed for a single mission and a specific security protocol—for example, within the Eagle-1 project (Europe’s first QKD satellite).
However, numerous QKD satellite missions are planned, each potentially using different QKD protocols and encoding schemes. It is therefore economically justified to develop key ground-segment components that can establish links with multiple QKD satellites, facilitating the growth of the entire network. The Multi-purpose Quantum Key Distribution Receiver for Optical Ground Stations (MPQR) project directly addresses this challenge.
“Quantum key distribution is a strategic growth area for us, where we see strong business potential and are ready for commercial deployment as early as this year. Participating in the project to build a prototype multi-purpose QKD receiver for ground stations handling satellite key transmission broadens the application scope of our technologies and strengthens our position as a key European supplier,” said Anna Kamińska, PhD, Director of the Quantum Systems Division at Creotech Instruments S.A. and CEO of Creotech Quantum S.A..
Creotech Instruments is currently running several QKD projects for ESA and the European Commission. As part of these efforts, the company is developing ultra-sensitive single-photon detectors based on superconducting technology. In addition to the detector, interpreting signals from a QKD satellite requires a dedicated receiver—this is precisely the component to be developed by a consortium led by OHB System AG.
Creotech Instruments will be responsible for the design and manufacture of the receiver’s control electronics and for integration with the single-photon detector. These detectors will be used for demonstrations and testing of the new receiver. Moreover, experience gained through the MPQR project will support more effective commercial deployment of other technologies developed by Creotech and expand its QKD product portfolio with increasingly advanced ground-station components and subsystems.
Recently, the company also signed an agreement to build a mobile QKD ground station under the PIONIER-Q-SAT project led by NASK. Thanks to synergies between these initiatives, Creotech will further strengthen its technological and product capabilities for satellite-based QKD—from key components to advanced subsystems, particularly the QKD receiver.
Quantum key distribution is expected to be deployed across critical infrastructure throughout Europe over the next few years, covering both terrestrial networks and satellite links. Delivering the project will enable Creotech to enter this rapidly growing market.
The consortium is led by OHB System AG and includes, alongside Creotech Instruments S.A., OHB Digital Connect GmbH and the Austrian Institute of Technology.
The total value of the ESA contract is approximately EUR 950,000, of which around EUR 300,000 will be allocated to Creotech.
Source: ceo.com.pl
