On December 13, Ajai Chowdhry, chairman of the Mission Governing Board of the National Quantum Mission (NQM), announced India’s plan to launch a quantum satellite in the next 2-3 years to advance quantum communications.
This initiative is a significant step under the NQM and aligns with global efforts to leverage quantum physics for cutting-edge technologies.
The National Quantum Mission (NQM)
Approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023 with a funding of ₹6,000 crore.
Duration: 2023–2031.
Objective: To accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies for communications, computing, and sensing systems.
What is a Quantum Satellite?
A quantum satellite facilitates quantum communication, enabling highly secure data transmissions using the principles of quantum physics.
These satellites represent the future of secure communications, addressing vulnerabilities in current cryptographic methods.
How Current Encryption Works
Encryption: Secures messages by converting them into unreadable formats using a key.
Example: The Caesar cipher shifts letters in a text by a fixed number to hide the content.
Cryptographic Security: Depends on solving mathematically complex problems that classical computers struggle to crack.
However, with the advent of quantum computers, these problems might become easier to solve, exposing vulnerabilities in traditional encryption.
Quantum Cryptography and QKD
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Ensures secure key sharing between parties, detecting eavesdropping attempts.
Mechanisms of QKD:
Quantum Measurement:
Measuring a quantum system (e.g., a photon) alters its state.
Eavesdropping attempts will be detected due to changes in the system.
Quantum Entanglement:
Entangled photons share a linked state; changes to one photon instantly affect the other, enabling secure communication.
Global Progress and India’s Role
China: Leads with the world’s largest QKD network, including three quantum satellites.
India: Researchers at the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, identified Hanle, Ladakh, as an ideal location for satellite-based QKD, with a potential beam distance of 500 km.
The upcoming quantum satellite forms part of the NQM, bolstering India’s quantum ecosystem.
Challenges with QKD
Authentication Gaps: Difficulty in verifying the source of QKD transmissions.
Hardware Dependency: Systems are harder to upgrade or patch.
Cost and Risks: High infrastructure costs and insider threats.
Denial-of-Service (DoS): Eavesdroppers can disrupt transmissions.
Transmission Losses: The no-cloning theorem prohibits amplifying quantum signals to compensate for losses.
Why the NQM Matters
Strategic Importance: Strengthens India’s position in quantum technologies, ensuring technological and security advancements.
Global Competitiveness: Competes with nations like the U.S. and China in quantum research and innovation.
Future Applications: From unhackable communications to enhanced sensing and computing capabilities.
India’s planned quantum satellite marks a transformative step in achieving secure quantum communications, paving the way for advanced technology development and strengthening national security.
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