International Network on Space Quantum Technologies

量子技术通过在安全通信、传感和测量、定位、导航、计时和计算方面实现新的和增强的应用，有可能给社会带来革命性的变化。大多数研究都集中在开发这些在地球上工作的技术，例如通过光纤、地面可运输或空中量子传感器和量子处理器进行量子密钥分发。然而，通过将量子优势带离这个世界进入太空，我们可能会开始实现它们的全部潜力。目前，由于光纤对单个光子的吸收，用于保密通信的量子密钥分发被限制在几百公里内，要达到全球规模，需要将量子光源送入轨道，在太空真空中运行。配备量子传感器的卫星可以无与伦比的精度监测地球，这对应对气候变化至关重要。量子增强型时钟可以为下一代全球导航卫星系统(又名GPS)提供超强动力，并提供超高精度的计时和定位，无论您身在何处。但建造并将它们送入轨道是一个相当大的挑战，因为有效载荷需要在发射的严酷环境以及太空中恶劣的辐射、热和真空环境中生存下来。这个网络聚集了正在开发空间量子技术的世界专家，共同努力克服这些挑战。它包括学术机构、公共部门研究企业、翻译研究组织、小型和大型企业，所有这些都结合了他们互补的知识和经验。但太空的高度及其覆盖范围并不是将量子技术送入轨道的唯一优势。最终，我们希望使用量子纠缠来连接量子设备。通过连接分布式量子系统，从量子计算机、量子传感器、量子时钟，甚至使用纠缠的量子望远镜，我们极大地增加了它们的功率。通过光纤发送量子信号的困难由于纠缠而变得更加复杂，因此需要基于空间的量子网络来编织跨越量子互联网的全球。量子研究人员和工程师组成的网络将致力于实现量子互联世界的这一重大挑战。

Quantum technologies has the potential to revolutionise society by enabling new and enhanced applications for secure communication, sensing and measurement, positioning, navigation, and timing, and computation. Most of the research has concentrated on developing these technologies to work on the Earth, such as quantum key distribution through optical fibres, ground transportable or aerial quantum sensors, and quantum processors. However, by bringing the quantum advantage off this world and into space, we may begin to realise their full potential. Presently, quantum key distribution for securing communications is limited to a few hundred kilometres by the absorption of single photons in optical fibres, to reach global scale requires placing quantum light sources into orbit to operate in the vacuum of space. Quantum sensor-equipped satellites could monitor the Earth with unrivalled accuracy, vital for the fight against climate change. And quantum enhanced clocks could supercharge the next generation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (aka GPS) and provide ultra-precise timing and positioning wherever you are. But building and putting them into orbit is a considerable challenge as payloads need to survive the rigours of launch and the harsh radiation, thermal, and vacuum environment in space.This network brings together world experts who are developing space quantum technologies to work together to overcome these challenges. It includes academic institutions, public sector research enterprises, translational research organisations, small and large business, all combining their complementary knowledge and experience. But the high vantage point of space and the coverage it gives are not the only advantages of placing quantum technologies in orbit. Ultimately, we would like to network quantum devices using quantum entanglement. By connecting distributed quantum systems, from quantum computers, quantum sensors, quantum clocks, even quantum telescopes using entanglement, we massively increase their power. The difficulties of sending quantum signals through optical fibres are compounded for entanglement, hence the need for space-based quantum networking to weave a globe spanning quantum internet. The network of quantum researchers and engineers will work towards this grand challenge for a quantum connected world.