Quantum Computers have the potential to offer a huge range of benefits. By increasing processing power exponentially, they will unlock new, exciting capabilities and improve our current capacity considerably. This does however put at risk technologies which have long relied on computational expense for their function. An example of this is encryption, which keeps data secure via the use of asymmetrical mathematical problems which are beyond the capability of most classical computers. These problems will, however, be easily solvable by quantum computers, creating a problem referred to as the "Quantum Apocalypse". There are currently two front-runner technologies to keep data secure in a post-quantum world. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) aims to provide mathematical challenges which a quantum computer will not be able to solve, as a new iteration of current methodologies. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a novel method for distributing keys which enables robust symmetrical encryption techniques, with the key transfer mechanism being protected by fundamental laws of physics, as opposed to mathematical complexity. Both are receiving significant focus and investment, with the most likely outcome being hybrid solutions incorporating the benefit of each. To support the roll out of these new technologies, space has emerged as a critical component in networks for quantum security. Satellites offer the ability to distribute information globally, and also allow for free-space optical transfer, which isn't limited by distance in the same way as terrestrial fibre networks. The Chinese Micius satellite demonstrated a number of fundamental technologies in 2016, which has led to a race to match this achievement in other countries. As such a number of satellite missions orientated towards quantum security are in development, predominantly focusing on cost effective small- or nanosatellites. Within this landscape a consortium featuring Craft Prospect, Alter Technologies and Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics has formed to develop the next generation of products for space-based quantum security. NextSTEPS will look to build a benchtop demonstrator of an entangled photon source. The benefits of this type of unit are increased security and future relevance, due to the need for the creation of networks of quantum computers. The work will also consider the requirements of the unit for use in space, and in particular for low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) satellite platforms such as nanosatellites. Through the project the team will create enabling technologies for future quantum computing networks while also defining near-term entangled-source QKD products.

Quantum technology can enable highly-secure communications through satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) which exploits UK expertise in miniature satellites. The space approach mitigates current limitations of terrestrial QKD networks: the relatively high price-tag of infrastructure as compared to miniature satellites, and restrictions on range resulting from terrestrial QKD's fibre-based networks. Our vision for this project is to develop a crucial component required for (satellite-)QKD, a space-suitable and high-rate Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG). The focus of such R&D will be novel globally. This project's key objective is to develop and test a compact, lightweight and low-power consuming QRNG package that can provide reliably secure random numbers at a high enough bitrate for by satellite-QKD developers of at least 400Mbps. The main area of focus is on the environmental testing of such a QRNG device, to ensure that the QRNG is robust enough to withstand the extreme harshness of the space environment. This will be accomplished by leveraging modern integrated photonics and integrated electronics methods to produce a deployable QRNG subsystem that can begin addressing the growing market need for space-suitable sources of entropy. The innovation behind this project is in two parts. First, Quantum Dice is developing an innovative way of generating secure and high rates of random numbers from a quantum process, which was developed at the University of Oxford. This innovation is based on a newly developed and patent-protected protocol called source-device independent self-certification (DISC) which allows for the distillation of quantum entropy into verified random numbers while also accounting for the sources of internal classical noise in the hardware source. The latter classical noise can compromise the security of the output and has in-fact been reported to be the root cause of many security failures in currently-used random number generators. Second, the results of the series of space-environmental testing done by Craft Prospect will be innovative research that is crucial to quality a QRNG for deployment in a space-QKD demonstration mission, after which the QRNG will gain space heritage and hence space-qualification, which is normally both a costly and time-consuming process.

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is expected to form a critical part of future secure communications infrastructure. Keys are a highly valuable cryptographic tool for securing valuable and sensitive data. Current key methods protect transactions including mobile telephony, corporate intellectual property, diplomatic cables and financial transactions. The distribution of keys to global communication nodes within a network presents a challenge commonly addressed using computationally hard mathematics, such as calculating the prime factors of large numbers. Security for these keys is therefore based on the premise that the computational cost remain impractically high and expensive relative to the value of the data. This premise is now under threat from mathematical advancement and quantum computing where the ability to factor large numbers becomes significantly less challenging. Should these keys be compromised, all data and nodes on the network using these methods becomes vulnerable to interception and cyberattack. QKD provides a'quantum-safe' solution for sharing keys assured by fundamental physics. Space provides an ideal and highly scalable medium for key distribution, given that a satellite can deliver keys globally over long distances as it flies about an orbit. Space-based QKD is therefore expected to complement ground based local QKD networks which are already beginning to emerge. Satellites will provide these keys to ground nodes globally for use in existing telecommunication networks, particularly to remote locations or across international boundaries. This work leverages ongoing mission developments in the UK and Canada bringing together the two teams responsible for upcoming QKD missions: QEYSSAT in Canada including Honeywell and University of Waterloo, and ROKS in UK including Craft Prospect, and the Universities of Bristol and Strathclyde. The work will allow a UK based QKD technology to fly on the QEYSSAT mission, providing valuable performance data for the system and extending the capabilities of the satellite to perform another class of QKD link. It will additionally allow the development of new protocols for secure key distribution from space overcoming challenges resulting from the motion of the satellitejunderstanding of interoperability, ready for adoption as the security of existing approaches becomes more open to challenge and cyberattack.

Major organisations rely on strong encryption, including the process of encryption key agreement. Future quantum computers have the potential to compromise key agreement schemes based on asymmetric encryption and widely deployed Public Key Infrastructure. Over long distances and without quantum repeaters, Business Continuity (BC) can be maintained if commercially and technically viable Satellite Quantum Key Distribution (SatQKD) becomes available in time. Current free space optical approaches are not considered commercially viable because they can only operate at night time and in clear sky conditions; and by waiting for overhead satellites in Low Earth Orbit. The future BC market, anticipated to be worth billions of pounds, will be addressed by this project through accelerated commercialisation of the SatQKD technologies necessary for operation during daylight hours, cloudy skies and other weather conditions. The project will combine and align technical developments from UK SME's within a system context from Airbus: a major provider of UK-developed secure satellite communication systems. The objective of this project is to prepare new modular flexible system architectures, technology landscape surveys and technology development roadmaps for lower cost, longer range, free space optical quantum communications directed towards institutional and commercial customers. The primary focus of Innovation in this project is to extend the envelope of Satellite-to-Ground QKD operations beyond the current state of the art: to enable daytime operation, cloud tolerance and reach key distribution rates several orders of magnitude faster than existing demonstrators. The project will influence and enhance the coherence of academic research, SME developments, and prime system integration readiness for operational quantum secured communications.

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Quantum technologies provide both a threat to, and a solution for, ensuring security in the the communication systems which underpin our daily lives. As quantum computing increases in capability, existing methods for securing data will become obsolete. In parallel new quantum cryptographic methods are being developed which will help to mitigate this threat (for example, Quantum Key Distribution). This will ensure that our most sensitive data can be protected from external agents, be they state actors or sophisticated hacker groups, both now and in the future. A proposed method to deliver a quantum key service is through satellite assets, however for adoption, the security of these assets must be assured. This project aims to assess particular vulnerabilities of very small satellites (nanosatellites) to backdoor attacks on quantum payloads through the satellite platform. Nanosatellites are increasingly used in commercial services due to their low cost, and as such can be used to fulfil niches roles within a wider capability (e.g. can be produced quickly and cheaply to smooth spikes in demand). The approach to be developed is to ensure that quantum components can be segmented from the rest of the platform, ensuring even if the platform is breached, secure quantum information cannot be accessed. Monitoring of the quantum technologies within the space environment will be required to ensure that their proporties are uncompromised. This will have the added benefit of allowing quantum subsystems to be hosted as a secondary payload on larger satellites. Bringing together extensive experience in the space, security and quantum domains, this project will assess the potential attack vectors and provide a bench top demonstration of a fully tested system which is aligned to relevant standards. The quantum elements of the programme will be the implementation of a Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) and quantum protocol processing algorithms on representative space hardware. Test points will then be defined for threat analysis and penetration testing. This will serve to increase trust levels in these platforms to facilitate the delivery of quantum cryptography, and other secure quantum services, from space-based assets.

"The value proposition which satellite applications bring to any commercial or societal problem is focussed around two core themes: 'telecommunication' and 'tele-observation'. Furthermore, by enabling long distance communication and long distance observational capabilities, satellites and especially modern satellite constellations, enable highly scalable networks, and ever faster information distribution -- one-to-many mass communication and observation; i.e. global telecommunication through cellular networks; global tele-observation of events. In 2017 alone major investments were made in start-ups in the field of earth observation data analytics; USD 50M was invested in Orbital Insight, and in the UK, GBP 2M invested in both Bird.i and Rezatec GBP 2M respectively; whilst established Earth imagery providers such as Planet, and Airbus, and DigitalGlobe have repositioned their offering towards value added analytics and information products as well as imagery alone. New telecommunication systems based on low-earth-orbiting mega-constellations such as those being developed by OneWeb, Sky and Space Global, SpaceX and Thales Alenia Space, offer new connectivity solutions to meet growing demand for data from any position on the globe, at any time of day, either in broadband, or narrowband to support the 'Internet of Things': In parallel to the market-led redefinition of satellite systems, the growth in terrestrial blockchain applications beyond secure payment and digital asset transfer alone, especially the development of open-access distributed application platforms is giving rise to new ways to create, store, and transfer information and digitally immutable assets. Blockchain applications and associated cryptographic digital asset recording methods, enable new ways to position satellites as near real-time commodity brokers, land-registrars, and legal dispute arbitrators where geolocational information is key. This Innovate UK funded project will enable Trade in Space and our partners -- Craft Prospect, a UK based Satellite Artificial Intelligence developer; to assess the feasibility of satellite generated datasets in smart contract blockchain applications, to create new ways of commercialising satellite data which were implausible until recently. For example, following capture of real-world user requirements, we will write prototype smart contracts in the following areas: \* Digital Asset Generation, supporting peer-to-peer exchange based on Satellite 'Proof of Observation. \* Automated Illegal Trespass Prosecution based on space verified communication signals \* Micro-leasing of satellite capacity to meet satellite network objectives. The value of the global market in each of these areas is expected to approximately double in the next 5 years, and our team intent to capture useful IP in this area on behalf of the UK taxpayer."

CubeSats (< 10 kg nanosatellites, with dimensions 10-40 cm) offer an accepted cost-effective and rapidly deployed opportunity to provide both proof-of-concept to a wider market and for technology raising. They are also now part of the final service delivery in some markets disrupting the status quo; for example, in Earth Observation where CubeSats support the delivery of monthly < 5 m resolution imagery of global landmass. This feasibility study seeks to determine the extent to which the momentum and agility of the CubeSat marketplace and the progress made in overall performance can be applied and aligned to capitalise on the emergence of space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). QKD offers a highly secure method for encryption key distribution critical to modern data systems security from financial transactions through the internet to military communications. In looking across technology demonstration through to service delivery opportunities for CubeSats, key concerns over mission assurance and quality of service achieveable will need to be addressed. As such, the work will bring together business needs and capabilities across stakeholders from telecoms providers, investors, mission architects and quantum technologists.