Is this quantum microsatellite the start of a global network? A Chinese-South African team tested the idea

Researchers used a small, light device and portable ground stations to set a record in communications

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Stellenbosch University in South Africa is the site of the first quantum communications link in the southern hemisphere. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 21 Mar 2025Updated: 11:23am, 21 Mar 2025

Researchers from China and South Africa have used a low-cost microsatellite and portable ground stations to create the world’s longest quantum communication link.

In a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature on Wednesday, the researchers said China’s Jinan-1 quantum microsatellite was deployed to link Stellenbosch University in South Africa and a base in Beijing operated by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC).

Using a shared encryption key, the team transmitted two images, one of China’s Great Wall and one of the Stellenbosch campus, across 12,900km (8,000 miles) via the satellite.

“[We] report the development of a quantum microsatellite capable of performing space-to-ground quantum key distribution using portable ground stations,” the team said in the paper.

“This achievement serves as a strong foundation for our future plans of launching multiple microsatellites and establishing a vast network of [optical ground stations], leading us towards the realisation of a practical quantum constellation.

“A global-scale quantum network with revolutionary communication, computing and sensing capabilities is anticipated in the near future.”