Ground segment development for LEO to Ground Quantum Communication

To develop a quantum communication receiver package for the focal plane of ground based telescopes that are capable of tracking low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. More precisely, the system shall be able to compensate tracking errors (of up to 5 arcmin) and shall stabilize the image motion down to arcsec level at disturbance frequencies up to 100 Hz. The package shall provide, based on a running average of the tracking offset, tracking correction information to the telescope to desaturate its image motion compensation system. Finally the system shall be merged with a quantum receiver and the Contractor shall analyse to which extent image distortion correction capabilities can also be built into the system.  

Global quantum key distribution for ultimate data security is realistically only possible if low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites are utilised. For the reception of the quantum keys telescopes are required that can track LEO satellites, however the high LEO tracking speeds involved often cause unacceptably large tracking errors and the data does not reliably reach the receiver. The described activity aims at the development of a general purpose quantum receiver package that can be hooked up with a multitude of telescopes and which effectively compensates the tracking errors mentioned above. The system shall first be tested in a static horizontal link where disturbances are caused by atmospheric turbulence and later by tracking LEO satellite using ESA's optical ground station.