Quantum Communication Technologies for space systems

Call Updates

Jul 24, 2023 1:58:40 PM

An overview of the HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01 evaluation results (Flash Call Info) is now available under the link

https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2023-07/HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01%20Flash%20call%20update%20%28FTP%29.pdf

Mar 28, 2023 6:44:52 PM

Call HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01 has closed on the 28/03/2023.

142 proposals have been submitted.

The breakdown per topic is:

• HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01-62: 7 proposals

Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in the 2nd half of July 2023.

Dec 22, 2022 5:59:48 PM

The submission session is now available for: HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01-62(HORIZON-RIA)

Quantum Communication Technologies for space systems

TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01-62

Programme: Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
Call: STRATEGIC AUTONOMY IN DEVELOPING, DEPLOYING AND USING GLOBAL SPACE-BASED INFRASTRUCTURES, SERVICES, APPLICATIONS AND DATA 2023 (HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01)
Type of action: HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]
Deadline model: single-staDeadline datege
Planned opening date: 22 December 2022
Deadline date: 28 March 2023 17:00:00 Brussels time

ExpectedOutcome:
Support the EU space policy and the EU initiative to establish the Union Secure Connectivity Programme and foster the development of ultra-secure EU services based on or using space systems
Ensure the EU sovereignty and non-dependence for the development of capacities leading to the availability of ultra-secure services based on Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
Enhance the TRL of the critical components necessary to build QKD space systems and foster the development of the associated QKD standards.
These outcomes will contribute to securing the autonomy of supply for critical technologies and equipment for QKD space systems in the EU and foster the EU's space sector competitiveness by developing the associated ecosystem, in line with the Expected Impact of the destination. Security aspects shall be considered in all targeted developments.

Proposals must address all the above-mentioned, expected outcomes.

Two proposals will be selected under this call.

Scope:
The scope of this topic is the development of the critical components and technologies necessary to build a space quantum key distribution system. Based on the principle that any component used to generate, store, transmit, receive, decode, or use quantum information is considered a critical component, the scope of this topic covers all the critical hardware and software components necessary for the quantum key distribution function to be implemented via a satellite payload, as well as the corresponding optical ground station. Proposals will consider both Prepare and Measure (P&M) and Entangled protocols. In addition, proposals should address the issue of standardisation for QKD space systems. Proposals should propose and implement the development of international space QKD standards in existing standardisation bodies working groups (e.g. (e.g. ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute) or propose and implement the creation of new standardisation activities through the creation of additional working groups.

In this topic the integration of the gender dimension (sex and gender analysis) in research and innovation content is not a mandatory requirement.

Specific Topic Conditions:
Activities are expected to achieve TRL 5-6 by the end of the project – The reference TRL definition is the ISO 16290:2013 applicable to the space sector.