Scientists from Russia and China collaborated to demonstrate quantum communication using satellites. The test explored the development of a hack-proof encrypted network using China’s quantum satellite called “Mozi”.
The project is part of their deeper cooperation on communication to develop encrypted networks from the Hawkish eyes of the US and the wester bloc- it’s assumable that the purpose is to create a synergistic network for the BRICS that China and Russia are affiliated with. Read next: Light-based chip breakthrough that ushers in 6G era
Russia and China conduct quantum communication to test hack-proof network
The test was carried out with the satellite from a ground station close to Moscow, Russia to another near Urumqi, China, stretching over 3800 kilometers (2,360 miles).
The Mozi satellite aka Micius used in the demonstration is operated by the Chinese Academy of Science. The cooperation started in 2020 and in March another demo was conducted in which two coded messages were exchanged using advanced encryption. The test on December 14th also used some “harmless” quantum key-encoded images.
Why quantum communication?
Because it’s perceived that Quantum communications are the most secure means to send and receive data due to the application of quantum mechanism. But there are challenges. Quantum communication uses qubits and not bits and they are vulnerable which makes data transmission prone to degradation. Also read: Huawei, China Mobile to provide ultra-gig fiber internet
So that leads us to one curiosity- how well Quantum communication will fare. That question rests in the hands of the future. In the recent test, two old images were transmitted. As to how video communication will work is far from being known. In 2017, a voice call test was conducted between China and Austria so the high-bandwidth transmission could be expedited.