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A big step forward has been made in quantum internet, which is the next big thing in safe communication. New tests between satellites in space and a station on Earth show that it is possible to have a global quantum network².
A Look at the Test
Using carefully controlled infrared light waves, scientists were able to send and receive photons between the Russian GLONASS satellites and the Italian Space Agency’s Space Geodesy Center on the ground. These messages stayed the same over a distance of about 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles), which was 15,000 kilometers (9,321 miles) more than the previous record for long-distance quantum communication.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
The quantum key distribution (QKD) is what made this possible. Quantum key distribution (QKD) hides data by using the complicated rules of quantum physics. Any disturbance is picked up right away, so it is impossible to listen in on QKD conversations. If you try to hack into a quantum message, it will destroy itself².
Quantum Communications via Satellite
It is harder to properly talk to satellites that are higher in orbit, like the GLONASS satellites. They do, however, pass closer to ground stations more often. Because they work so well together, they could be used to build a global quantum network that can’t be hacked.
Uses and Problems
Quantum internet has a lot of exciting possible uses, from completely safe communication to global quantum computing. However, there are still a lot of questions that need to be answered. What am I going to do with a quantum internet? What problems do you expect to face in operations? These unknowns show that we are still very much in the early stages of researching this ground-breaking technology².
As satellite networks change, the ability for ground stations and high-orbit satellites to talk to each other successfully increases the spread of quantum communications. The promise of global quantum networks that are very safe still needs to be explored and developed further².
A new study (https://www.sciencealert.com/new-study-proves-that-global-quantum-communication-is-going-to-be-possible) says that this is now possible.
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