Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement. However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to raise the technological readiness level of terrestrial quantum technologies and to adapt them for space operations. The small-space revolution is a promising route by which synergistic advances in miniaturization of both satellite systems and quantum technologies can be combined to leap-frog conventional space systems development. Here, we outline a recent proposal to perform orbit-to-ground transmission of entanglement and QKD using a CubeSat platform deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). This ambitious mission exploits advances in nanosatellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), miniaturised target acquisition and tracking sensors, compact and robust sources of single and entangled photons, and high-speed classical communications systems, all to be incorporated within a 10 kg 6 litre mass-volume envelope. The CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission (CQuCoM) would be a pathfinder for advanced nanosatellite payloads and operations, and would establish the basis for a constellation of low-Earth orbit trusted-nodes for QKD service provision.

中文翻译：

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CubeSat量子通信任务

量子通信是一种主要的太空技术应用，它为远距离量子密钥分配（QKD）和量子纠缠的实验测试提供了近期的可能性。但是，要提高地面量子技术的技术准备水平并使它们适应太空运行，还存在相当大的发展风险以及随后的成本和时间。小空间革命是一条很有希望的途径，通过这种途径，可以将卫星系统和量子技术的小型化方面的协同进步结合起来，从而超越传统的空间系统。在这里，我们概述了最近的一项提议，该提议使用从国际空间站（ISS）部署的CubeSat平台执行纠缠和QKD的轨道到地面传输。这项雄心勃勃的任务利用了纳米卫星姿态确定和控制系统（ADCS），小型化的目标获取和跟踪传感器，紧凑且坚固的单光子和纠缠光子源以及高速经典通信系统等方面的先进技术，这些技术都将合并在10公斤内6升大容量信封。CubeSat量子通信任务（CQuCoM）将成为先进的纳米卫星有效载荷和操作的探路者，并将为为QKD服务提供的低地球轨道受信任节点奠定基础。