Jerusalem, 4 January, 2023 (TPS) — An Israeli “nanosatellite” launched into space on Tuesday may pave the way for inexpensive, secure optical and quantum communication from space.

Nanosatellites refer to satellites weighing 10 kilograms or less.

The nanosatellite, dubbed TAU-SAT3, was developed by Tel Aviv University and was launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

A special ground station was set up on the roof of one of the university buildings to receive the nanosatellite’s transmissions. According to Prof. Noam Eliaz, dean of engineering, “This is the first optical ground station in Israel, and one of very few worldwide, that can lock onto, track, and collect data from a nanosatellite which, viewed from Earth, is smaller than a single pixel.”

Eliaz said this breakthrough will lower the cost of building and launching nanosatellites for optical communication. The university will conduct experiments on the rate of data that the nanosatellite can receive, process and transmit, and also for scenarios that disrupt satellite communication channels.

The satellite’s quantum components will not only boost its ability to send and receive data, they will also make the date more secure.

“The principles of quantum mechanics enable an unconditionally secure encryption method. Whenever a hostile entity tries to intercept a transmitted message, the message immediately dissipates,” explained Prof. Yaron Oz, who heads TAU’s Center for Quantum Science and Technology.

“Moreover, the interception attempt is detected – unlike current encryption methods, in which interceptions remain undetectable. Consequently, eavesdropping-proof quantum communication is today at the forefront of scientific research,” Oz noted.

“Governments and giant organizations around the world are involved in a race for quantum encryption capabilities – especially since quantum computers are expected to crack today’s encryption algorithms. It’s an enormous effort – in terms of science, technology, and budgets,” he added.

The satellite will orbit Earth at an altitude of 550 km until its batteries die in five years.

The nanosatellite is the third one launched by Tel Aviv University. The university won a tender by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Israel to build and launch a fleet of satellites while making the field of space and building nanosatellites accessible to students.