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EAGLE-1 

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The EAGLE-1 mission is a flagship endeavour by the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with the European Commission and an industrial consortium of more than 20 European partners led by SES Techcom, to establish Europe’s first space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) system.

Through this mission, the collaboration aims to build a sovereign, ultra-secure communications infrastructure capable of resisting the era of quantum computing and safeguarding sensitive data across national borders.

As quantum-computing technologies progress, traditional cryptographic systems are increasingly vulnerable. QKD exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to distribute encryption keys in a manner where any eavesdropping attempt becomes detectable. By launching EAGLE-1, Europe seeks to pre-emptively guard against future threats and secure the infrastructure of governments, industry and critical services.
EAGLE-1 will be the first space-based quantum key distribution system, significantly boosting European autonomy in cybersecurity and communications.

Additionally, the mission supports strategic aims of digital sovereignty and cross-border resilient connectivity: two pillars of the EU’s upcoming quantum communications infrastructure, EuroQCI.


Mission architecture 

The EAGLE-1 system is an end-to-end quantum key distribution platform comprising a satellite element, optical ground stations, quantum key-management networks and national quantum-communications infrastructures. 

EAGLE-1 will operate from low Earth orbit (LEO) and will distribute quantum keys from space to ground stations, then link into national terrestrial systems. It will test and validate technologies including:

A space-borne quantum key distribution payload, capable of generating and transmitting quantum states to ground.
High-precision optical ground stations equipped with adaptive optics, stable telescopes and fast optical links to receive the quantum signals.
End-to-end key management, integration with national QCI networks, and operational demonstration for governments/critical infrastructure.

EAGLE-1 for sovereign, secure quantum communications

EAGLE-1 is more than a technology demonstrator. It represents a leap in Europe’s ability to build sovereign, secure quantum communications infrastructure.

Quantum-safe communications
Despite advancements in quantum computing, EAGLE-1 ensures key distribution remains secure under future threats.
European industrial leadership
By developing the system within Europe, the mission supports domestic industry, reduces reliance on foreign technology, and enhances competitiveness.
Cross-border connectivity
The satellite enables pan-European secure links across countries and institutions.
Operational readiness
Unlike purely lab-based experiments, EAGLE-1 is designed for real-world applications – particularly governments, telcos, and banks looking to gain early access to satellite QKD capabilities.

The impact of EAGLE-1

Upon successful launch – slated for February 2027 – and in-orbit operation, EAGLE-1 will provide mission data and operational experience to inform future quantum communications systems, with the aim to include:

Deployment of a constellation of QKD satellites across Europe, to provide continuous, worldwide secure key distribution.
Integration of the space-based QKD network with terrestrial fibre QKD links for end-to-end quantum-secure connectivity.
Commercialisation of quantum-safe services for key industries (finance, cloud, defence, critical infrastructure).
Convergence with broader European initiatives such as EuroQCI, incorporating quantum resilience in EU digital infrastructure.

Beyond EAGLE-1: EAGLE-neXt

Proposed in 2025, and building on EAGLE-1, the EAGLE-neXt Partnership Project, will design, develop, qualify, deploy, and validate a satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system – that covers space, control, and user segments – to deliver end-to-end unclassified QKD services to commercial customers and, where appropriate, governmental users.

EAGLE-neXt will evolve the heritage of EAGLE-1 into a fully operational, commercially viable system, maintaining compatibility with EAGLE-1 where feasible. The new system will deliver global unclassified QKD services for security-critical sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and infrastructure, complementing, classified networks such as EuroQCI and SAGA.

EAGLE-neXt will target long-distance and cross-border secure communications not addressable by terrestrial fibre-based QKD networks. Scheduled to begin in early 2026, the EAGLE-neXt project aims to provide the first commercial, space-based QKD service of European origin, building upon EAGLE-1 technology while optimising performance, cost, and scalability.

EAGLE-neXt differs from EAGLE-1 by offering commercial services rather than pure demonstration. It will remain unclassified, focusing on private-sector users. In contrast, SAGA and EuroQCI will provide classified governmental services, operating under the ESA security framework and guided by National Security Authorities. Together, these initiatives form a complementary European QKD ecosystem, balancing public and private capabilities.


Key objectives will include:

Security
Design, development, and operation will follow end-to-end security engineering principles. The system will be resilient to quantum computing attacks and developed to meet forthcoming certification standards.
Performance and cost-effectiveness
Through larger optical apertures, multiple satellites, and improved QKD throughput, the system will lower the cost per cryptographic key and enhance service availability.
Ease of access and integration
Compact, simplified ground terminals will enable easy integration with customer networks and terrestrial QKD systems
Standardisation and interoperability
The system will adopt open standards, ensuring interoperability with European programmes such as the Spanish Caramuel and terrestrial networks.
European technological sovereignty
The project prioritises European industrial participation, particularly for security-sensitive QKD elements.
Certifiability
Working with certification bodies, the project will help define and implement a certification pathway for space-based QKD systems.

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CONTACT

Michael Witting


ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC)

Keplerlaan 1

2201 AZ Noordwijk, The Netherlands

+31 625158619

Michael.Witting@esa.int

Documents

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Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES)

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Partnership Projects programme

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Pioneer

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