Augmentation of Future Quantum Key Distribution Networks with CubeSat Systems

立方体卫星（质量小于10公斤，尺寸为10-40厘米的纳米卫星）提供了一个具有成本效益和快速部署的机会，既可以为广泛的市场提供概念验证，也可以提高技术水平。在某些情况下，它们也是最后服务交付的一部分，例如，在Planet的情况下，它们用立方体卫星增强较大的卫星，以进行响应性的地球观测。这项可行性研究旨在确定立方体卫星市场的势头和敏捷性，以及在整体性能方面取得的进展，在多大程度上可以应用和协调，以支持和利用天基量子密钥分发的出现，利用英国在有效载荷系统中已经进行的发展。QKD提供了一种高度安全的密钥分发方法，这对现代数据系统的安全至关重要，从金融交易到军事通信。该工作将为任务架构、接口规范、系统测试和开发路线图提供信息，并进一步提供跨利益相关者的系统视图。该方法将确定使用立方体卫星加速和增强天基QKD技术或服务准备的机会。

CubeSats (nanosatellites of mass <10kg, with dimensions 10-40 cm in length) offer a cost-effective and rapidly deployed opportunity to provide both proof-of-concept to a wide market and technology raising. In some instances they are also part of the final service delivery, for example, in the case of Planet, who augment larger satellites with CubeSats for responsive Earth observation. This feasibility study seeks to determine the extent to which the momentum and agility of the CubeSat marketplace, and the progress made in overall performance, can be applied and aligned to support and capitalise on the emergence of space-based Quantum Key Distribution, harnessing the developments already underway within the UK in payload systems. QKD offers a highly secure method for key distribution that is critical to modern data systems security, from financial transactions to military communications. The work will inform mission architecture, interface specification, system testing and development roadmaps, and further provide a systems-view across stakeholders. The approach will identify opportunities to accelerate and augment the technology or service readiness of space-based QKD using CubeSats.