QSpace Technologies startup, which develops quantum satellite communication systems, has raised $900.000 (71.7 million rubles) from Gazprombank. The funds raised will be used to create a small CubeSat satellite with a quantum key distribution system (QKD) transmitter on board.

The launch of the satellite is scheduled for 2023. The project will cost about $2.7 million (220 million rubles) by the end of 2024. Today QKD provides the highest possible level of information security, but the technology has limitations due to the use of fiber optic cable (transmission distance up to 200 km). QSpace hopes that this problem can be solved with the help of a spacecraft with a trusted node function.

Original (in Russian)