China launches first-ever quantum communication satellite

China has successfully launched the world’s first quantum satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in north-western Gobi Desert.
The director of the space centre said that the satellite roared into the dark sky on top of a Long March-2D rocket at 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday in Jiuquan (China).
He said that the 600-plus-kilogram satellite would circle the Earth once every 90 minutes after it enters a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km.
The director said the satellite was nicknamed “Micius,” after a fifth century B.C. Chinese philosopher and scientist who was credited as being the first one in human history conducting optical experiments.
“In its two-year mission, QUESS is designed to establish “hack-proof” quantum communications by transmitting keys that cannot be cracked from space to the ground, and provide insights into the strangest phenomenon in quantum physics quantum entanglement.
He said that Quantum communication boasts ultra-high security as a quantum photon could neither be separated nor duplicated.
The director added that it therefore impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through it.
He said that with the help of the new satellite, scientists would be able to test quantum key distribution between the satellite and ground stations, and conduct secure quantum communications between Beijing and Xinjiang’s Urumqi.
He said that QUESS as planned, would also beam entangled photons to two earth stations, 1,200 km apart, in a move to test quantum entanglement over a greater distance, as well as test quantum teleportation between a ground station in Ali, Tibet, and itself. (Reuters/NAN)