The Nobel Prize winner in physics provided the basics Anton Zeilinger with his experiments on quantum teleportation more than a quarter of a century ago. The Viennese company qtlabs sets the Quantum entanglement practical and uses it to encrypt data completely securely.
With the help of the ESA The commercialization of the technology is to be further promoted. Meager 22 million euros will flow into programs in which qtlabs is involved in the coming years.
Tap proof
One, SAGA, is about a quantum communication system that is to be used by the EU Commission. After the Italian-French joint venture Thales Alenia Space qtlabs is the second largest contractor on the project. On a second project, QKD Sathalf from ESA and half from satellite manufacturers Honeywell The aim is to develop a commercial service for encrypted communication.
We are seeing significantly increased interest in the market, says qtlabs managing director Rupert Ursinwho worked with Zeilinger on quantum entanglement experiments in the early 2000s: “Wonderful science turns into stable jobs.”
Quantum technology and earth observation
Overall, Austria’s contribution to the ESA budget increased last week from 260 million euros 340 million euros increased for the next three years. Something more than 137 million euros flow into compulsory programs, barely 203 million euros in election programs. The money flows through project financing 90 percent back to local companies.
You were conscious of the focus of the drawing internationally competitive Austrian companies want to further strengthen it, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure. In addition to quantum technology, the focus was also on earth observation.
Mostly satisfied
In general, the increase in the Austrian ESA budget is “a positive development,” says Dieter GrebnerPresident of the industry association Austrospace. Given the budgetary situation, it is understandable that the ESA contribution was not increased further, although that would have been desirable. Minister Hanke deserves great credit for having implemented an increase at all.
At Beyond Gravity Austriaone of the country’s largest space companies, also sees the determination of the domestic ESA budget as largely positive. The company had previously been pushing hard for an increase 500 million euros pleads. With the ESA budget that has now been decided, Austria was not able to support the election programs to the desired extent. “But we see efforts to find the best possible division,” says Kurt Kobermanaging director of the company.
Beyond Gravity would have had a good chance of taking a leading role in one of the largest future satellite projects called LEO-PNT to take over. “It is now important for us to achieve the best possible solution for ourselves and for Austria with the resources provided,” says Kober.