Lumino Leads European Space Agency QINSim Project to Advance Satellite Quantum Information Networks

Lumino Technologies, a UK company specialising in free space quantum and optical communications, has won a contract from the European Space Agency (ESA) to study satellite quantum information networks. Lumino is supported in the project delivery by an expert team from Heriot Watt University , which also leads the Integrated Quantum Networks Hub.

The project, "Quantum Information Network Simulator" (QINSim) will explore satellite quantum information use-cases and networks; develop a network simulation assessing architectures, technologies and the performance of satellite-based quantum networks; and establish a potential road map for such networks.

The project will collaborate with other teams across Europe, proceed into 2026 and result in a simulation tool that will be open to the community.

Dr Alex Koehler-Sidki, Director of Quantum Technologies at Lumino, said, “This is a fantastic project to be working on with ESA and our collaborators in Europe. Lumino is excited to play its part in making satellite quantum information networking a reality, and this feasibility work complements our ongoing development activities in free-space sources and receivers for the quantum internet.”. 

Dr Ross Donaldson, Chief Scientific Officer at Lumino and Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University, said “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Lumino Technologies, ESA, and the partners across Europe on this exciting initiative. This project enables us to leverage a decade’s worth of simulation data grounded in real device performance. Our aim is to ensure that this empirically driven approach contributes meaningfully to the development of practical, next-generation satellite missions and constellations.”

Note: The QINSim project is funded by the European Space Agency”. Please note that the content of this news article cannot be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.