SES and Airbus sign lease for EAGLE-1 ground link
SES and Airbus Netherlands B.V. Signed a ground lease agreement with the Dutch municipality of Noordwijk for an optical ground station plot at the NL Space Campus. The optical ground station site sits next to ESTeC, the European Space Agency technical centre in Noordwijk.
Noordwijk will host the dedicated station for the EAGLE-1 satellite.
Airbus will build the station for SES. It will include a control room and a dome with an ultra-precise telescope to track satellites for the laser link.
Advanced optics will correct atmospheric distortion in real time. SES said the system must handle turbulence from air movement and temperature changes.
Xavier Bertran, SES chief product and innovation officer, described the station as the primary ground connection for EAGLE-1. SES manages EAGLE-1 in a public-private partnership with ESA and the European Commission.
Bertran said, “Once operational, the system will allow early adoption of the quantum-safe technology by users such as government and banking sector, enabling next-generation cybersecurity.”
Through EAGLE-1, Europe will get its first satellite built to demonstrate end-to-end ultra-secure communication based on quantum technology. The project combines a satellite, a ground network and an advanced laser connection.
Unlike traditional satellites that use radio frequencies, EAGLE-1 uses laser beams to transmit security keys. As a result, it aims to create a secure long-distance connection.
EAGLE-1 is the first major step toward a European Quantum Key Distribution system. QKD sends encryption keys in a way designed to resist future cyber threats.
TNO and partner roles
TNO is the prime contractor and also handles the advanced optics. FSO Instruments will deliver the sensor, Airbus Netherlands the real-time control system, Officina Stellare the telescope and dome, and Celestia STS the optical digital modem.
A photo released with the announcement showed Pim van Strien of Noordwijk, Rob Postma of Airbus Netherlands, and Alan Kuresevic of SES Techcom. Their appearance marked the lease signing at the NL Space Campus.
