Research Summaries

Back Employing Secure Space-to-Ground CubeSat Laser Communications and Quantum Key Distribution to Support Marine Air Ground Task Force Intelligence Operations

Fiscal Year 2021
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Space Systems Academic Group
Investigator(s) Balmes, Philip M.
Sponsor Naval Information Warfare Center, Pacific (Navy)
Summary Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Laser) technology has been widely used by the U.S. Department of Defense for decades. Such technologies include laser-guided munitions, laser-aided measurements, and directed infrared countermeasures. The use of space-based laser systems for communications is not a new concept either as Lasers are used to achieve high throughput satellite-to-satellite crosslinks. The potential advantages gained from the secure, high-throughput capability of laser uplinks and downlinks between surface and satellite terminals warrants further exploration. Analysis of competitor military capabilities and commercial expansion has demonstrated that conventional radio frequency (RF) bands are becoming more crowded and contested in the space domain. Despite these challenges, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) must retain the capability to securely receive and transmit large quantities of critical data across distributed operating environments. Laser communications systems integrated into the cubesat form-factor exhibit potential for a low-cost secure, and responsive solution for disaggregated MAGTF units to quickly disseminate high volumes of data. Coupling quantum key distribution with the use of laser communication terminals would provide even more protection to sensitive transmissions. This research focuses on the military applications of space-to-ground laser links and quantum networking to achieve reliable communication in a dynamic and contested operational environment. By exploring the development of a system capable of extremely high data rates and secure connections with little to no RF dependencies, Marine Corps acquisitions professionals will be able to leverage the findings of this research to shape informed acquisitions decisions regarding future expeditionary communications systems.
Keywords CubeSat Laser Communication QKD free-space optical communications quantum key distribution small satellite
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal