China's second quantum satellite named Jinan-1
The world's first quantum micro-nano satellite, jointly developed by Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Shanghai Institute of Technology Physics, Shanghai Institute of Microsatellite Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology, was successfully launched at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on board the "Force Arrow 1" launch vehicle. The scientific goal of the satellite is to achieve the world's first real-time satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution between a micro-nano satellite and a miniaturized ground station, laying the foundation for the construction of a low-cost, practical and integrated wide-area quantum confidentiality communication network.
From the Mozi Salon was informed that the satellite named "Jinan 1". The name just confirms the speculation that this is one of the satellites of the "quantum constellation", and there are Jinan No. 2 and Jinan No. 3 in the future ......
Image source: Mercury Salon
Quantum confidentiality communication is based on the basic principles of quantum mechanics, providing the only unconditionally secure communication method in principle. The "Mozi" quantum science experiment satellite led by the Chinese University of Science and Technology (CSU) has realized for the first time a series of international leading quantum science experiments in space, such as star-ground quantum key distribution, intercontinental quantum key distribution, and entanglement-based relayless quantum key distribution. Beijing-Shanghai backbone" constitutes the first integrated wide-area quantum confidentiality communication network in heaven and earth, and has carried out a series of technology verification and application demonstration. In order to meet the increasing demand of users, launching multiple low-cost quantum satellites to realize network operation on the basis of the technology laid by "Mozi" is the only way to build a highly efficient, practical and global quantum communication network.
Schematic diagram of the operation of Jinan-1 in orbit. Image source: Mozi Salon
The research team successfully tackled the key technologies of low-cost miniaturized quantum key distribution technology and real-time key extraction technology, completed the development of the on-board quantum key distribution terminal and micro-nano-satellite platform, reduced the weight of the quantum micro-nano-satellite to about 1/6 of that of the Mozi, increased the light source frequency by about 6 times, improved the key generation timeliness by 2-3 orders of magnitude, and, together with the miniaturized ground station system, can complete real-time satellite-ground quantum key The satellite will be able to perform real-time quantum key distribution experiments and carry out technology verification and application promotion.
Actual photo of Jinan No.1. Image source: Mozi Salon
Hefei National Laboratory and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) are jointly responsible for proposing the scientific objectives of the quantum micro-nano-satellite; Jinan High-tech Zone Administrative Committee, in collaboration with Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology, provides financial support, and Jinan Institute of Quantum Technology is responsible for organizing the development of the ground application system and carrying out the verification of quantum key distribution application technology as a user overall; Shanghai Institute of Microsatellite Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIMS) is responsible for developing the satellite system; USTC Ltd. is responsible for the development of the payload subsystem, and Kokusai Quantum Communication Network Co.
The successful launch and in-orbit operation of the quantum micro-nano-satellite will help China maintain and expand its international leading position in the field of space quantum communication, and help realize the leap forward in national information security and information technology level.
