China to Launch New Quantum Satellites in 2025
China is set to launch two to three new quantum communications satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) next year, according to Pan Jianwei, the scientist leading the project. Pan, who heads the Institute of Quantum Information and Quantum Technology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), also announced plans for a medium Earth orbit satellite launch in 2027. These efforts aim to achieve breakthroughs in quantum relay technologies within the next five to six years, paving the way for a quantum communications network.
Pioneering Quantum Experiments
China’s journey in quantum technology began with the launch of the Mozi satellite in 2016. This pioneering satellite tested quantum physics in space, focusing on quantum communication and encryption. Developed under CAS, Mozi demonstrated quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement over unprecedented distances.
Building a Quantum Network
In addition to satellite advancements, China has constructed the Beijing-Shanghai Quantum Communication Backbone, a 2,000-kilometer-long fiber-optic network completed in 2017. In 2022, CAS and collaborators launched the Jinan-1 satellite on a Lijian-1 rocket to test QKD and miniaturized key technologies.
The new satellites will integrate with ground-based networks to achieve greater, eventually global, coverage. The planned higher orbit satellite, equipped with a 600 mm diameter telescope for photon transmission, will allow for longer duration tests compared to LEO satellites.
International Collaboration and Future Plans
China is actively seeking international collaboration in the quantum field. Pan emphasized China’s openness to international cooperation and the potential for global discussions on building quantum constellations to benefit humanity.
CAS is preparing to unveil a new long-term space science program, focusing on black holes, dark matter, dark energy, habitable exoplanets, and the laws of the universe. This indicates that the follow-up to the Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) initiative will be conducted separately.
Global Efforts in Quantum Technologies
While China leads in quantum satellite technology, other space agencies and companies are also making strides. The European Space Agency is developing a quantum communications network, with funding awarded to a consortium led by Thales Alenia Space. Germany’s Qube cubesat, launched in August aboard a Falcon 9, is testing QKD. Boeing aims to deploy a small quantum networking satellite by 2026.
