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:

Quantum Payload Instrumentation

• BB84/Decoy-State QKD Source
  • Laser Diodes
  • Intensity Modulator
  • Phase or Polarization Modulator
  • Polarization-Maintaining Fiber Components or Bulk Optics
  • Bean Expander/Telescope
• Entangled Photon Source (SPDC Source)
  • Pump Laser
  • Nonlinear Crystal
  • Temp Control Module
  • Beam-Splitting and Filtering Optics

Optical Link/Acquisition and Tracking Instrumentation

• Optical Terminal
  • Primary Aperture/Telescope
  • Fine Steering Mirror
  • Coarse Pointing mechanism
• Beacon System
  • Classical Beacon Laser
  • Photodiode or Position-Sensitive Detector
• Dedicated Star Tracker

ADCS Sensors

• Required ADCS Sensors
  • Star Trackers
  • Sun Sensors
  • Magnetometer
  • IMU
  • GPS Receiver
• Required Actuators
  • Reaction Wheels
  • Magnetorquers

Detector Instrumentation

• Single-Photon Detectors
  • Si-APDs
  • SNSPDs
• Filtering and Optics
  • Narrow Board Optical Filters
  • Polarization Analyzers
  • Half-Wave Plates or Polarization Beam Splitters
  • Fiber Coupling Optics

Timing and Synchronization Instrumentation

• Onboard Timing Components
  • Chip-Scale Atomic Clock
  • High-Precision Time-Tagging Electronics
  • GPS Disciplined Oscillator
• Classical Communication Systems
  • S-Band or X-Band Transmitter
  • UHF/VHF

Thermal Monitoring and Control Sensors

• High-Accuracy Thermistors
• Temperature Sensors on Laser and Crystal
• Radiators + Heaters

Spacecraft Bus Sensors

• Voltage/Current Sensors
• Battery Temperature and Pressure Sensors
• Solar Panel Telemetry Sensors
• Internal Environmental Sensors

Ground Segment Instrumentation

• Ground Optical Terminal
  • Large Aperture Telescope
  • Adaptive Optics
  • Single-Photon Detectors
  • Beacon Lasers
  • High-Speed Classical Downlink Receiver
• Timing Equipment
  • GPSDO
  • Rubidium or Cesium Atomic Clock
  • High-Speed Time-Taggers

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:

Reasons to pursue:

Current space communication systems are fiber-based and only offer short-range communications. While there are optical/laser communication alternatives they are constrained by limited sightlines. Also, with the rise of critical and valuable data transmissions, there is a need for secure, and safe communication systems which will be enabled by QKD (quantum key distribution) in these quantum communication networks. 

Cubesats offer the possibility of validating such a technology with quicker, more efficient turnaround times

Resources:

1. CubeSat quantum communications mission
2. https://www.nature.com/articles/nphoton.2017.107
3. https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.12749
4. https://www.nature.com/articles/nphys629