Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 29, 2026

Eagle-1

Eagle-1 is a future European technology demonstration satellite for in-orbit demonstration of space-based quantum key distribution. The satellite was developed by a consortium of companies led by the Luxembourg-headquartered SES for the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Eagle-1 is the first step in development of a sovereign European quantum communication infrastructure, specifically the EuroQCI network. The satellite will be launched to low-Earth orbit on a Vega C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana in late 2026 or early 2027.

Last revised
Jul 29, 2026
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Eagle-1
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorEuropean Union European Union
European Space Agency
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerLuxembourg SES
Start of mission
Launch date2026 or 2027 (planned)
RocketVega C

Eagle-1 is a future European technology demonstration satellite for in-orbit demonstration of space-based quantum key distribution.1234 The satellite was developed by a consortium of companies led by the Luxembourg-headquartered SES for the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA).567891011 Eagle-1 is the first step in development of a sovereign European quantum communication infrastructure,12131415 specifically the EuroQCI network.16171819 The satellite will be launched to low-Earth orbit4 on a Vega C rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana202122 in late 2026 or early 2027.235

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Andrew Jones (15 October 2022). "Europe plans to launch a quantum encryption satellite for ultrasecure communications in 2024". Space. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  2. Hiemstra, Thomas; Hasler, David; Paone, Domenico; Reichert, Fabian; Heine, Frank; Struck, Julian (2025). "The European satellite-based QKD system EAGLE-1". In Hemmati, Hamid; Robinson, Bryan S. (eds.). Free-Space Laser Communications XXXVII. p. 30. arXiv:2505.20838v1. doi:10.1117/12.3042856. ISBN 978-1-5106-8458-4.
  3. EAGLE-1: Delivering satellite-enabled QKD solution
  4. "Satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD)". Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  5. "Eagle-1". www.esa.int. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  6. "Eagle-1: New European partnership to boost Cyber Resilience with Quantum Technology - Defence Industry and Space". defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  7. "SES, ESA and European Commission Partnering to Deliver Satellite Quantum Cryptography System for European Cybersecurity". Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  8. Swayne, Matt (16 November 2023). "SES-led EAGLE-1 Onboards TNO and Airbus to Deliver Ground Station for Quantum Key Distribution". The Quantum Insider. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  9. Juste, Louis (10 May 2024). "SES Leads Eagle-1 Towards European Cybersecurity And The Quantum Internet". Silicon Luxembourg. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  10. Lafleur, Alyssa (11 May 2023). "SES and TESAT to Develop Payload for Europe's First Quantum Cryptography LEO Satellite System EAGLE-1". Space Insider. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  11. "Eagle-1: comment SES est au cœur du futur". paperjam.lu (in French). Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  12. Page, Cameron. "SES pencils in early-2030s for enterprise quantum comms rollout". TelcoTitans.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  13. "EAGLE-1 to boost Cyber Resilience with Quantum Technology". 23 September 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  14. Foust, Jeff (23 September 2022). "SES considering quantum cryptography satellite system". SpaceNews. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  15. Calistro-Rivera, Gabriela; Heirich, Oliver; Shrestha, Amita; Ferenczi, Agnes; Duliu, Alexandru; Eppinger, Jakob; Castella, Bruno Femenia; Fuchs, Christian; Garbagnati, Elisa (4 December 2024), Building Europe's first space-based Quantum Key Distribution system -- The German Aerospace Center's role in the EAGLE-1 mission, arXiv:2412.03222
  16. "ESA and European Commission to build quantum-secure space communications network". www.esa.int. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  17. "ESA launches €50M quantum communications mission with Thales Alenia Space".
  18. "European Quantum Communication Infrastructure - EuroQCI | Shaping Europe's digital future". digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  19. "European Quantum Communication Infrastructure - The EuroQCI initiative - Works | ERRIN Website". errin.eu. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  20. epp (9 November 2022). "SES Selects Arianespace to Launch EAGLE-1 Satellite for Europe's Quantum Cryptography". Newsroom Arianespace. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  21. "SES Eagle-1 to fly on Arianespace to offer quantum connectivity | Computer Weekly". ComputerWeekly.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  22. SpaceRef (9 November 2022). "SES Selects Arianespace to Launch EAGLE-1 Satellite for Europe's Quantum Cryptography". SpaceNews. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  23. "EAGLE-1 | Vega C | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 24 January 2026.