QSpace Technologies LLC, a developer of satellite and atmospheric systems in the field of quantum cryptography, announced the closure of the seed round in the amount of 71.7 million rubles. The investor was Gazprombank— one of the largest commercial investors in quantum technologies in Russia.
Investments will be directed to the first phase of the creation of a small CubeSat satellite with a quantum key distribution system transmitter on board. In the future, the researchers plan to launch a small spacecraft into space using the transmitter as a payload. The launch of the satellite is scheduled for 2023.
Quantum key distribution (QCR) is a key technology in the field of quantum communications, which allows providing the highest possible level of information protection guaranteed by the laws of physics. KRK is already used in modern telecommunications to transmit confidential data, but today the key is transmitted via a fiber-optic cable, which limits it to a distance of 200 km, taking into account the requirements for generation speed. By the end of 2024, QSpace Technologies LLC intends to demonstrate a solution to the problem of limited range, using the satellite as a "trusted node".
QSpace Technologies LLC is a spin-off of the Russian Quantum Center, which in 2021 stood out from the developer of equipment based on quantum cryptography QRate, and a resident of Skolkovo (VEB.RF Group). It is the only company in Russia developing a satellite system based on small spacecraft.
