The European Space Agency has awarded a €50 million contract to Thales Alenia Space to advance the preliminary design of the SAGA (Security And cryptoGrAphic) mission, a satellite program intended to demonstrate quantum-secure communications across Europe. The award clears the mission to proceed toward its preliminary design review, a key step in maturing space-based quantum key distribution capabilities.
Mission overview
SAGA is designed to validate space-to-ground quantum key distribution (QKD), enabling the generation and delivery of encryption keys whose integrity can be verified against interception attempts. The mission will extend secure key delivery beyond the geographic limits of terrestrial fiber networks and is tailored to support classified and other critical data flows for governmental and institutional users. It complements ESA’s other quantum communications efforts, including EAGLE-1 and QKDSat, which are primarily oriented toward commercial service development.
Contract scope and schedule
The contract, signed on 1 October in Brussels during the Quantum Europe Forum, covers early technology maturation, system prototypes, and critical demonstrations needed to de-risk the mission. A preliminary design review is targeted within two years, followed by manufacturing and integration if the design is confirmed. The agreement formalizes roles among ESA and Thales Alenia Space and sets the path to consolidate mission requirements and interfaces for both the space and ground segments.
- In-orbit demonstration of secure space-to-ground QKD and end-to-end key management.
- Interoperability with national quantum networks and trusted nodes within EuroQCI.
- Maturation of optical terminals, single-photon sources and detectors, and cryptographic subsystems.
- Operational concepts for secure governmental use, including resilience and continuity of service.
Planned milestones
- Preliminary design review within approximately 24 months.
- Start of manufacturing and system integration, pending design confirmation.
- In-orbit validation of end-to-end key distribution and network interoperability.
- Transition toward operational capability to support European secure communications.
Role within EuroQCI
SAGA forms part of the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), a joint initiative of ESA and the European Commission to build a pan-European secure communications backbone by linking terrestrial and space-based quantum systems. The capability is expected to bolster cybersecurity across sectors including energy, healthcare, defence, and emergency response, and serve as a pillar of Europe’s broader digital resilience strategy.
Implications for the space industry
The program strengthens Europe’s industrial base in optical and quantum payloads, opening opportunities for component suppliers and ground segment providers. By focusing on government-grade connectivity, SAGA aligns satellite quantum communications with sovereign security requirements while informing future commercial optical and quantum services. If successful, the mission would mark a significant step toward scalable, verifiable, and long-distance key distribution from orbit.
Source: European Space Agency
