Boeing announced the scheduled 2026 launch of a satellite – dubbed Q4S – which will be designed to demonstrate quantum entanglement swapping capabilities in orbit. This Boeing-funded, first-of-its-kind space mission brings humanity closer to building a secure, global quantum internet that connects quantum sensors and computers.
Quantum sensors are much more precise than today's state-of-the-art instruments and quantum computers can process large amounts of data, offering the potential to revolutionize an array of industries. This experiment attempts to demonstrate quantum networking in space, helping to better understand how these networks can be built across vast distances and remain highly synchronized.
Boeing is setting the stage for a revolution in how they handle information with secure, quantum-enhanced applications, such as fault-tolerant systems that reduce errors in computing, secure voting mechanisms that protect electoral integrity, and blind quantum computing which allows data to be processed without exposure.
"We're making a big bet on quantum technology," said Jay Lowell, chief engineer for Boeing's Disruptive Computing, Networks & Sensors organization. "Quantum entanglement swapping underpins the communication of the future, expanding quantum networks beyond simple point-to-point communication. We're launching Q4S to prove it can be done in orbit."
Entanglement swapping relies on quantum teleportation – a method where the information carried by a particle can be transferred without having to move the particle itself across the distance. Albert Einstein famously referred to this ethereal concept as "spooky action at a distance," underscoring the complex nature of quantum mechanics.
"By demonstrating entanglement swapping, we can create a scalable network, where quantum information can be transmitted over vast distances, something currently limited by decoherence and loss," said Lowell.
Quantum networking capabilities in space can unlock new potential, helping researchers gather more data about the Earth and space environments – areas where current instrument sensitivity and resolution limit progress.
"Boeing has always served as a pioneer, pushing the boundaries of what's possible," said Todd Citron, Boeing's Chief Technology Officer. "We're doing much more than participating in quantum research, we are leading the way to operationalize and scale quantum technologies for global applications."
The year-long Q4S demonstration involves two entangled-photon pair sources housed within a space vehicle. Boeing's payload and technology partner, HRL Laboratories, a joint venture between Boeing and GM, has made significant advancements in benchtop exercises as the joint team finalizes technical designs of a space-hardened payload that is ready for launch.
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures, and services commercial airplanes, defense products, and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability, and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality, and integrity.
HRL Laboratories, LLC, Malibu, California, (hrl.com) pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace, and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL is a source of innovations that advance the state of the art in profound and far-reaching ways.
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