Satellite-Based Quantum Encryption Network

Today, our text messages, as well as our health information and bank transactions are based on mathematical algorithms encryption. Although highly efficient, this approach will be hard to keep safe once the quantum computer hit the scene. This is because, unlike regular computers, super-powerful computers can figure out the exact algorithm used to encrypt data.
An efficient satellite-based quantum encryption network would go a long way – it could provide not only a safe but a super-safe way to encrypt data sent over long distances. For this reason, it is highly desired.
Now, in a new study, researchers managed to demonstrate ground-based measurements of quantum states sent by a laser aboard a satellite which is 38,000 kilometers above Earth –and they look good.
As Christoph Marquardt from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany explains, the team was quite surprised to discover how well the quantum states survived traveling through the atmosphere to a ground station. This is great news, as it means that technology on satellites – which is already space-proof against various severe environmental tests – can also be used for achieving quantum-measurements, meaning satellite-based quantum encryption networks are possible.
But that’s not all: according to Marquardt, we can expect to see satellite-based quantum encryption networks in just about five years from now.

Source:
The Optical Society via ScienceDaily (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170615120552.htm)