Group: Kareena, Angelina, Asael, Israel, and Monagoz
QC Missions:
- Demonstrate and validate quantum communication capabilities in-space
- Develop secure communication networks using QKD (quantum key distribution)
- Contribute towards the development of long-range in-space communication
Moving towards:
- Constellation of satellites for long-range in-space communication → potential inter-collegiate collaboration
Instruments/sensors:
Cost Analysis:
Quantum Payload ($200k - $650k)
- Photon Source (BB84 or decoy-state) - ($80k - $200k)
- SPDC Entangled Source - ($150k - $350k)
- Nonlinear crystal + Temp Control - ($20k - $60k)
- Quantum Optics Bench - ($30k - $120k)
- Single-Photon Detectors - ($40k - $120k)
- Time Tagging Electronics - ($10k - $50k)
- Optical Filtering/Fiber Coupling - ($10k - $50k)
Optical/Pointing Paylod ($120k - $350k)
- Telescope Assembly - ($40k - $120k)
- Fine-Steering Motor - ($20k - $80k)
- Beacon Laser - ($10k - $40k)
- Beacon Camera - ($10k - $25k)
- Optomechanical Platform - ($30k -$90k)
- Precision Alignment and Calibration - ($10k - $30k)
Satellite Bus (6U) - ($200k - $350k)
- 6U Structure - ($20k - $50k)
- Integrated Bus Platform - ($100k - $200k)
- Wiring Harness and Connectors - ($5k - $10k)
- Thermal Control Hardware - ($10k - $30k)
- Deployables - ($20k - $60k)
ADCS - ($90k - $180k)
- High-Sccuracy Star Tracker - ($25k - $60k)
- IMU + Gyros - ($10k - $30k)
- Reaction Wheels - ($20k - $50k)
- Magnetorquers - ($5k - $10k)
- ADCS Computer/Software - ($10k - $30k)
- Integration and Poiting Calibration - ($20k - $40k)
Power System - ($30k - $80k)
- EPS Module - ($15k - $30k)
- Batteries - ($10k - $20k)
- Body-Mounted Solar Panels - ($15k - $40k)
- Deployable Solar Panels - ($20k - $50k)
Comms - ($15k - $40k)
- UHF/VHF TT&C Radio - ($5k - $15k)
- S-Band or X-Band Downlink System - ($10k - $25k)
- Antenna System - ($5k - $10k)
- Ground Station Compatibility - ($5k - $10k)
OBC - ($15k - $40k)
- Flight Computer - ($10k - $25k)
- Data-Handling Electronics - ($5k - $10k)
- Software Development - ($5k - $20k)
Testing & Integration - ($40k - $150k)
- Vibration and Shock Testing - ($20k - $60k)
- Thermal-Vac Testing - ($20k - $50k)
- Optical Alignment and Cal - ($10k - $40k)
Ground Segment ($150k - $500k)
- Optical Ground station - ($150k - $350k)
- Upgraded Performance Station - ($300k - $600k)
- RF Ground Station Updates - ($10k = $40k)
Total: Min(~1.16M) - Max(~3.45M)
QUARC: Quantum Research Cubesat—A Constellation for Quantum Communication
https://arxiv.org/abs/1704.08707
https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2025/08/25/the-small-satellite-mission-a-guide-to-development-costs-and-timelines/
cubesat for QUANtum and 5G cOmmunication | QUANGO | Project | Fact Sheet | H2020 | CORDIS | European Commission
Size Analysis:
6U cubesat, nominal 12cm x 24 cm x 36cm (based on 1) → weighs 10kg
- 2U allocated to electrical power system (EPS), communications (COMMS), attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), and an on-board computer (OBC)
- 1U for quantum source
- 3U for transmission optics
Payload Compatibility:
| Feature |
|
|---|
| Payload Volume |
|
| Mass Budget |
|
| Power Budget |
|
| Instrument Performance |
|
|
|
Reasons to pursue:
Resources:
- CubeSat quantum communications mission
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nphoton.2017.107
- https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.12749
- https://www.nature.com/articles/nphys629