SES and SpeQtral have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an interoperable Optical Ground Station (OGS) to enable satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) between Asia and Europe. The OGS will serve as a shared infrastructure linking the two companies’ current and future QKD satellite missions, enhancing global reach and reducing costs in the development of quantum-secure communications.
The initial OGS is expected to be built in Singapore, which hosts a strong quantum R&D ecosystem and supports initiatives such as the National Quantum Safe Network Plus (NQSN+) led by IMDA. The interoperable station will integrate with existing fibre-based QKD networks, offering a pathway to combine terrestrial and satellite QKD networks into a global secure communication framework. The project will lower infrastructure barriers and offer broader access to quantum encryption services.
SES is leading EAGLE-1, a European Commission and ESA-backed mission to establish early QKD capabilities for secure data transmission. Meanwhile, SpeQtral is advancing SpeQtre and SpeQtral-1, two QKD satellite missions supported by Singapore’s Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn). Together, SES and SpeQtral aim to bridge localized fibre networks and satellite QKD, creating scalable and interoperable quantum-secure infrastructure for public and private sectors.
Read the official press release from SES here.
March 28, 2025
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