Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Chinese Satellite Launch to Lay Groundwork for Quantum Communications Network

By Ryan Bushey | August 1, 2016

Researchers from China’s Academy of Sciences in conjunction with the Austrian Academy of Sciences revealed they are working on the first-ever satellite to perform quantum experiments. 

The craft will potentially launch in August for a two year mission aimed at establishing a secure communications network that could allow anyone in the world to talk to each other or send information over secure electronic channels, reported Nature.

A crystal that radiates pairs of entangled photons will be built into the satellite’s center. This crystal will transmit the photons to ground stations based in Vienna and Beijing in order to generate a secret key. 

The scientists will use this vessel to explore the quantum phenomenon of entanglement using a Bell Test, according to Nature. A prominent theory in the quantum physics field is that entangled photons are supposed to stay linked to each other no matter what this distance is so the Bell Test will determine if they can stay entangled when separated by 1,200 kilometers. 

Other countries are attempting this research as well. A collaboration between the National University of Singapore and the University of Strathclyde propose launching a series of miniature satellites to perform entanglement experiments whereas a crew from Canada will analyze how to send photons entangled on the group up to satellites stationed in our orbit, explained Popular Mechanics. 

It will cost an estimated $100 million for the Chinese/Austrian group to pull this launch off, as successful results from this first trial flight could lead to a convoy of satellites launched from all over the world to create a comprehensive quantum communications network. 

 

Related Articles Read More >

Sonar Screen For Submarines And Ships. Radar Sonar With Object On Map. Futuristic HUD Navigation monitor
Pentagon places big bets on frontier AI, quantum sensing and next-gen avionics in nearly $3 billion in defense technology contracts 
2025 R&D layoffs tracker hits 132,075 as Amazon CEO signals AI will cut more jobs
Trump lifts 50-year supersonic ban, paving way for 3.5-hour New York–London trips
Europa’s lost decade: What happens to $5 billion‑plus in planetary R&D when missions die?
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE