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• Thales Alenia Space will develop Europe’s first space-based system for generating secure cryptographic keys to protect the European Union’s future communications.
• ESA’s SAGA project aims to deploy quantum technologies in space to ensure resilient communications in order to face emerging quantum threats.
• Leveraging its expertise and recent advancement on Quantum space-based projects, Thales Alenia Space will contribute to Europe’s technological sovereignty in secure connectivity, supporting the deployment of the European Quantum Communications Infrastructure (EuroQCI).
The contract covers the system definition and preliminary design of a fully European end-to-end Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system for governmental use.
ESA’s SAGA Mission, first introduced during the 2019 edition of ESA’s Ministerial Council Conference and the refined in 2022, has been developed in close collaboration with the European Commission as the space-based element of the EuroQCI initiative. Progress on the EuroQCI implementation continues, with the European Commission’s upcoming Union Secure Connectivity program regulation to oversee its operational rollout.
The project is supported by multiple space agencies, including the Italian Space Agency (ASI), the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Austrian Space Agency (ASA), the Spanish Space Agency (AEE), the Netherlands Space Office (NSO), the French space agency (CNES), as well as the Swiss Space Agency (SSO). Additional agencies are expected to join as the mission advances, expanding its objectives. The mission is funded under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), part of the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.
“With SAGA, our aim is to ambitiously advance satellite communications, furthering Europe’s digital sovereignty, cybersecurity and industrial competitiveness in the quantum era. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Thales Alenia Space, which puts our Member States at the forefront of the race for truly secure connectivity,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications.
“I am very pleased that Thales Alenia Space will contribute to strengthening Europe’s technological independence by advancing optical and quantum technologies,” said Thales Alenia Space CEO, Hervé Derrey. “By leveraging its longstanding expertise in secure space communications and cutting-edge quantum technologies, Thales Alenia Space is proud to collaborate with ESA and multiple European space agencies for a secure and resilient connectivity infrastructure that will benefit governments and citizens alike, paving the way for the future of commercial optical communications both in Europe and worldwide.”
The contract signature took place during the 2025 Quantum Europe Conference, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, national authorities, and experts from civil society to discuss ways to enhance Europe’s already vibrant quantum technology ecosystem and cement its position as a global leader in quantum innovation and excellence.
Thales Alenia Space’s role in SAGA project
Thales Alenia Space, with its extensive experience in secure space communications and expertise in quantum and optical telecommunications systems, has been coordinating the previous phases of the SAGA Mission since 2020, starting with SAGA Phase A and continuing to the present day.
SAGA mission aims to demonstrate a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) service that will enable secure QKD provision via a Space Segment consisting of a single Low Earth Orbit (LEO) QKD satellite; an Access Segment made up of four SpaceQCI Access Nodes strategically distributed across Europe; and a Control Segment responsible for system operation and its integration with the terrestrial EuroQCI infrastructure.
SAGA plays a pivotal role within the overall EuroQCI development roadmap, targeting the readiness of SpaceQCI, preparing ESA and its industrial partners for EuroQCI developments under the EU Secure Connectivity regulation, and laying the groundwork for the future certification of SpaceQCI.
Thales Alenia Space in Italy leads a highly skilled consortium that includes leading industries, SMEs, universities, and research centers, bringing together Europe’s top competencies in the design and development of satellite systems, QKD technologies, and security solutions. Thales Alenia Space in France is in charge of SAGA Access Segment, including SpaceQCI Access Nodes and their specific subsystems, while Thales Alenia Space in Switzerland is responsible for the design, development and qualification of the Optical Space Terminal.
Paving the way to quantum space-based communications projects
Since 2018, Thales Alenia Space has been pursuing an ambitious roadmap, establishing itself a key player in the quantum communications field. The company is leveraging its expertise in satellite telecommunication systems, optical terminals and over 25+ years of quantum technology experience within Thales to develop a fully integrated approach spanning both the space and ground segments of quantum communications systems.
The challenge for quantum communications is to prepare the Quantum Information Networks that will connect quantum computers and quantum sensors to endow them with increased performance, resilience, accessibility. In parallel, new ways to secure communications will be available.
Space takes this ambition one step further: satellites allow quantum signals to travel over vast distances, overcoming the limits of fiber-optic networks and making global-scale quantum communication possible.
In addition to SAGA, Thales Alenia Space is in charge of several groundbreaking projects including:
• QKD-GEO, the world’s first quantum key distribution system from geostationary orbit. This initiative will allow secure intercontinental communications and help shape Europe’s role in the future quantum internet.
• QINSAT, a mission developed to demonstrate space-based quantum information networks.
• TeQuants, developing satellite technologies for quantum communication links.
The company is also taking part to EuroQCI and its many projects (FranceQCI, Quantum Italy Deployment, Nostradamus, Petrus, etc.., ), contributing to Europe’s future quantum communication infrastructure, including its space segment.
About Thales Alenia Space
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space (thalesaleniaspace.com) delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 14 sites in Europe.
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