China plans to launch a new satellite, which may be the first link of the new communication networks of new generation. Using the apparatus QUESS weight of 600 kilograms, which is scheduled to be launched in August this year, scientists plan to conduct the first quantum experiment in space, which in future may open the door to the emergence of “quantum space”.
Special crystal on Board spacecraft QUESS, will generate a pair of “entangled” photons and run them on the host workstation, located in China, and Austria. Ground-based science team, in turn, will conduct a study and see whether these photons are linked, even if they are separated by a distance of 1200 kilometers.
The method of quantum entanglement able to make a real revolution in cryptology. Because the change of a tangled photon instantly changes the properties of the other photon of the pair, these photons can be used to create encryption keys. In other words, any impact on one photon will change the state of the other photon, which in turn will point to the emergence of security holes.
A similar effect bundles attempted in the framework of ground-based experiments at a distance of 300 kilometers, but the photons that were launched in the fiber optic lines, unfortunately, eventually dissipated, allowing to carry out the necessary measurements. Satellite QUESS, in turn, will “shoot” photons from space.
The experiment is expected to last for about two years, however, according to physicist Chaoyang Liu, “if the first satellite show good results, China definitely will launch even more similar devices”. According to the calculations of the expert, or create a secure quantum system of space communications will require about 20 such spacecraft.
It should be noted that similar developments are canadian scientists. The researchers also plan to create entangled photons and “shoot” them with the Earth in a tiny micro-satellites “they were launched” into earth orbit. Italian experts, in turn, are planning to launch entangled photons with the mirrors mounted on the already orbiting satellites.
As pointed out by the researchers during ten years since the beginning of such space experiments can be used to create fully protected “space Internet”. In addition, quantum satellites can be combined together to create a space telescope with a fantastic resolution.
