Quantum optical gRoUnd Stations fOr Euroqci

forthcoming

The project is a 42-month strategic initiative supporting EU's vision of sovereign, secure and quantum-resilient communication infrastructure under the EuroQCI framework. 13 partners across France and Romania will develop two Quantum Ground Stations in France for space-based quantum communications compliant with the EuroQCI’s space and terrestrial networks, supporting public-private ventures. These stations will securely interface with next-generation quantum satellites, Eagle-1, SAGA, and QINSAT, forming the backbone for cross-border, quantum-secured data exchange. This contributes to EU’s Digital Decade targets, cyber resilience, and critical infrastructure protection by enabling satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and advancing Quantum Information Networks (QIN). The major objectives are upgrading the MéO ground station in Calern to establish QKD links with Eagle-1 by 2027/28, developing adaptive optics, a QKD receiver with post-processing modules; integrating MéO within Quantum@UniCA terrestrial quantum network to prototype an end-to-end satellite-to-urban QKD service demonstration to city’s users; preparing the ground segment for entanglement-based QIN protocols for “Quantum Internet” by demonstrating an entanglement distribution between Calern and Sophia Antipolis, preparing for future QINSAT-compatible photon source; designing a second large aperture QGS, PROVIDENCE, compatible with entanglement distribution from space, to demonstrate with QINSAT in 2030. This is pivotal in securing EU’s digital autonomy using European technologies and interoperability in space and terrestrial infrastructure, and quantum programs of various countries. It supports cross-border cooperation through 5 countries (France, Romania, Greece, Spain and Poland), supports EU supply chains and green initiatives, and fosters industrial and academic ecosystems. It anticipates risks and impacts in government decision making and remote connections restricted by terrain.