SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President & Chief Executive Officer: Eiichi Yonekura; “SKY Perfect JSAT”) is pleased to announce its participation as one of the implementing organizations in the research and development project titled “Development and Verification of Satellite Communication Technology with Quantum Cryptography*”, part of the Space Strategy Fund initiative led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (“JAXA”). 

  This project is driven by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (“NICT”), which has been selected as the principal research institution. SKY Perfect JSAT will join the project, contributing specifically to the design and planning of the satellite control system, as well as evaluating candidate satellites for launch as part of its related responsibilities.

                                                                      Conceptual Image of satellite-based QKD

  As quantum computing technologies continue to evolve, the potential threat to conventional encryption methods is becoming increasingly apparent. To address this emerging risk, quantum cryptographic communication — based on principles that ensure theoretical immunity to decryption —is gaining traction as a next-generation solution for secure data exchange. By leveraging satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD), encryption keys can be delivered over long distances and to mobile platforms, offering significant advantages in terms of security and resilience compared to terrestrial fiber-optic networks. 

  NICT aims to develop a small, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capable of enabling information-theoretically secure key sharing via quantum cryptographic technologies. Following its selection for this initiative, SKY Perfect JSAT will contribute by leveraging its extensive operational expertise accumulated over more than 35 years in geostationary satellite control, as well as its experience in prior R&D projects related to satellite-based QKD. In collaboration with NICT, SKY Perfect JSAT will work to advance this research and development effort, while also exploring possibilities for future commercialization.

  In the space industry, data communications sector —expected to see significant expansion in the coming years—is facing growing demands for higher levels of security. SKY Perfect JSAT remains actively engaged in the development of a satellite-based quantum cryptographic communication network, and will continue to pursue this goal through initiatives such as this R&D project. Through these activities, we aim to contribute to the realization of a society where confidential information can be exchanged securely and reliably, regardless of time or location.

*Development and Verification of Satellite Communication Technology with Quantum Cryptography:
The Space Strategy Fund led by the JAXA: https://fund.jaxa.jp/content/uploads/Overview_of_The_SpaceStrategy_Fund.pdf