Press release | 27 November | bk

Secure Satellites

Professor Dr. Janik Wolters researches secure quantum communication. He and his fellow researchers won the “INNOspace Masters” innovation competition

Our digital world would be unthinkable without satellites. Secure satellite communication is of great strategic significance - the Internet, telephony, and communication in aeronautics and shipping all depend upon it. Today, encrypting methods are used to make satellite communication more secure. However, these are also prone to attack. This represents an enormous risk for essential infrastructures, such as in the energy, telecommunications and transport sectors.

Making satellite communication secure is the goal of the work of Professor Dr. Janik Wolters. Wolters is group leader at the Institute of Optic Sensor Systems at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and also professor of the physical foundations of IT security at TU Berlin and the Einstein Center Digital Future (ECDF). Together with fellow researchers from the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, he is conducting research into secure quantum communication.

Making non-trusted satellites secure

Quantum key distribution (QKD) can help secure the digital encrypting methods used today from attack. “Worldwide, there are already numerous projects and missions where QKD can be used in the area of satellite communication,” explains Wolters. “However, it is important that the satellites are trusted, otherwise attacks on hardware and software may go unnoticed. And a satellite is only trusted if you develop, build and operate it yourself. For large concerns and state institutions this is a tall order, but still possible. For smaller and medium-sized businesses it is not possible, as the costs are far too great.

For Wolters and his colleagues, the solution lies in developing quantum memories. “QuMSeC - Quantum Memories for Secure Communication in Tomorrow’s Society” is the title of their joint research project. The goal is to make so-called non-trusted satellites secure. “Quantum memories make it possible to process quantum information on board satellites and to transfer this information efficiently to users on Earth. This enables users on the ground to check the security of satellites. They will be able to notice when software or hardware are manipulated,” says Wolters.

Winning team in the INNOspace Masters

The pioneering nature of the project is demonstrated by its successful participation in the “INNOspace Masters” innovation competition organized by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The team defeated 317 participants from startups, universities and research institutes from 15 countries across Europe to win the prize and the 400,000 euros funding. In addition to Janik Wolters, the winning team also includes Dr. Markus Krutzik, head of the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors at the FBH, which is jointly operated with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The third member of the team is Dr. Mustafa Gündogan, research associate at the Joint Lab.

The goal: A prototype demonstrator of the quantum memory

The research team’s goal is to actually construct a demonstrator of a quantum memory within the project period of two years. The challenges involved include exposing the quantum memory to powerful laser pulses which impact on the memory’s readout noise. In addition, larger amounts of information have to be stored for long periods, between ten and 100 milliseconds, i.e. the time it takes for light to propagate between satellite and ground station. A further challenge lies in making this complex technology suitable for use in space.

For Professor Wolters and his colleagues, the project represents an important opportunity to strengthen Germany’s role in the area of space-based communication.

Contact

Prof. Dr.

Janik Wolters

TU Berlin, German Aerospace Center and Einstein Center Digital Future

j.wolters@tu-berlin.de

+49 30 67055 -7906