Press Release — Crypta Labs has completed the Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT) project to develop a Quantum Random Number Generator for space which will facilitate quantum secure encryption of satellite data
Crypta Labs is proud to announce the successful conclusion of our Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) for use in the Low Earth Orbit environment project, conducted alongside the University of Southampton as part of the Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT), funded by the UK Space Agency and UKRI.
The Crypta Labs QRNG devices were tested by the University of Southampton in a thermal vacuum, cycling between temperatures of -50C and +80C, during which the team in Southampton were able to generate high-quality random numbers at a bitrate of 40 Mbit/s. The devices were then subjected to vibration tests simulating the launch environment of a Soyuz and Falcon 9 vehicles — all devices successfully completed the tests and came out fully operational.
Jean Paul Ludig, Crypta Labs head of operations said: “We are grateful to the SPRINT programme and the fantastic team at Southampton University for allowing us to prove that our patented QRNG can withstand extreme environmental conditions robust enough for space. Hopefully, this will encourage dialogues with defence and aerospace vendors looking to integrate quality quantum random numbers to provide the next constellations of Quantum Satellite Communications. This is a huge milestone in achieving our vision to accelerate the adoption of Quantum technology.”
Charlie Ryan, lecturer in astronautics at the University of Southampton added: “It has been great to work with such a dynamic company on a very innovative product. It has allowed us to increase our experience of verification testing of spacecraft components, and we look forward to working with Crypta Labs again in the near future.”
Martine Harvey, interim head of SPRINT programme said: “SPRINT has already engaged with more than 450 businesses across the UK, enabling more than 90 collaborative innovation projects across the UK. One of our primary aims is to enable businesses to develop new cutting-edge space technologies so we’re delighted that Crypta Labs has successfully completed its project in collaboration with the University of Southampton.”
Crypta Labs is a London-based quantum security company with the vision to provide more secure connections to connected devices. We aim to accelerate the adoption of Quantum Random Number Generator technology as a key component of cyber security to help mitigate this threat and make the world a safer place.
The University of Southampton is a member of the Russell Group of universities, with a research-led approach to the education of its students of which there are currently about 23,000. It has a particularly strong national and international reputation in engineering with one of the largest engineering faculties in the country.
The Faculty of Engineering Physical Sciences contains the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2019, being the second oldest department with such a name in the world.
The Department is one of the most established aerospace engineering research centres in the UK, with specialisms including autonomous vehicles, complex fluid phenomena, and spacecraft engineering.
SPRINT is the Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology, a unique partnership of top UK space universities, industry, government agencies and the investment community dedicated to supporting the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK through the commercial exploitation of space data and technologies.
Source: Crypta Labs
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