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WG3K > ANS 17.11.24 01:22l 19 Lines 4011 Bytes #56 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS322.4
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Subj: SEAQUE Quantum Tech Arrives at ISS for Groundbreaking Demo
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Sent: 241117/0014Z 10050@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
The Space Entanglement and Annealing QUantum Experiment (SEAQUE) has officially arrived at the International Space Station (ISS), delivered aboard NASAâ€Ös SpaceX CRS-31 mission. The SpaceX Dragon capsule docked with the ISS on November 4th, carrying over 6,000 pounds of scientific investigations and cargo, including SEAQUE. Planned for installation on the Nanoracks Bishop airlock, SEAQUE represents an important step forward in building a global quantum communications network.
Quantum computers promise computation speeds that are exponentially faster than conventional computers, and distributed quantum sensors may lead to new understandings of Earth and our place in the universe by measuring minute changes in gravity. However, to fully harness these abilities, a dedicated communication network must be established, capable of linking quantum computers and sensors regardless of their location. SEAQUE's experiment aims to prove the viability of orbiting nodes that can securely transmit and receive quantum data to and from the ground via free-space optical communications.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Space_Entanglemen...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Space_Entanglement_Annealing_QUantum_Experiment.png
SEAQUE is among 25 experiments integrated into the Aegis MISSE-20 mission to be installed on the ISS. [Credit: Aegis Aerospacehttps://aegisaero.com/]
A cornerstone of SEAQUE's mission is to test an integrated source of entangled photons, a critical requirement for secure quantum data transmission. Entangled photons are uniquely interconnected, where measuring one instantly influences the other, regardless of distance. This property enables potential data transmission that is secure and extremely difficult to intercept. Unlike prior quantum experiments that used bulk optics, SEAQUE utilizes a waveguide-based photon source. This innovation is more compact, efficient, and resilient, eliminating the need for manual optical realignment post-launch.
“SEAQUE will demonstrate a new and never-before-flown entanglement source based on integrated optics,†said Paul Kwiat, principal investigator at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He emphasized that the technology is pivotal for scalable global networks, as manual adjustments would be impractical when managing hundreds of quantum nodes spread across continents. Makan Mohageg, SEAQUE co-investigator from NASAâ€Ös Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), reinforced that SEAQUE's success would pave the way for future, widespread quantum networks.
[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEAQUE-Installati...]https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEAQUE-Installation-Location.jpg
SEAQUE will be hosted on the International Space Station by the Nanoracks Bishop airlock. [Credit: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratoryhttps://www.jpl.nasa.gov/]
An added element of SEAQUEâ€Ös demonstration involves testing its ability to self-heal from radiation damage, a persistent challenge in space. High-energy particles can impair the detectors that receive quantum signals, causing noise and, eventually, failure. SEAQUE will employ a bright laser to periodically repair such damage using a technique known as annealing. This process has shown success on the ground, “bubbling away†defects and reducing noise to extend detector life.
The SEAQUE mission reflects a truly international effort, including experts and students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, the National University of Singapore, and commercial partners such as AdvR, Inc., and Nanoracks. Funded by NASAâ€Ös Biological and Physical Sciences Division, SEAQUE is expected to drive breakthroughs in secure quantum communications, establishing a foundation for future advancements in long-distance data sharing.
[ANS thanks the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratoryhttps://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ for the above information]
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