On June 3–4, 2025, members of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)—coordinator of the Horizon Europe Project LaiQa—carried out an experimental campaign at the Aristarchos Optical Ground Station (OGS), located on Helmos Mountain in Greece. The campaign focused on advancing LaiQa’s objectives in the field of quantum communications, with three main goals: Evaluating the coupling efficiency of the 2.3-meter telescope, Performing background sky measurements during both day and night to simulate realistic operational conditions, Conducting polarized single photon transmission through the telescope system. These activities represent a significant step forward in LaiQa’s mission to enable secure and high-performance quantum communication links between Earth and space-based systems. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Manolis Xilouris, Athanasios Marousis, and his team—Alexis and Giannis—from the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout the campaign. Stay tuned for more updates as the LaiQa project continues to push the boundaries of next-generation quantum technologies.

We’re excited to share the LaiQa Project video presentation! LaiQa is a research & innovation initiative dedicated to developing the essential technologies and components needed for long-distance, unconditionally secure quantum communication. By integrating functional Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) components with cutting-edge system methodologies, we aim to pave the way for the future of secure global connectivity. 🎥 Watch the video:

🚀 The LaiQa Project is pushing the boundaries of quantum communication by developing cutting-edge technologies for a global space-based quantum network. Our mission is to enable secure quantum communications over vast distances, shaping the future of cybersecurity and connectivity. 🎥 Watch our technical project presentation: 📢 Stay tuned for more updates!

Last week, researchers from the National Observatory of Athens (NOA) and the PCRL – Photonics Communications Research Laboratory collaborated on a remarkable joint experimental campaign at the stunning Aristarchos Observatory, located at an altitude of 2,340 meters on Mount Helmos in Peloponnese, Greece. 🔬 Supported by the EU-funded LaiQa Project, which uses Helmos OGS as one of its key infrastructure testbeds, this campaign achieved several critical milestones. 🚀 Light at the C-band telecom wavelength was successfully transmitted through the 2.3-meter Aristarchos telescope and precisely coupled into an optical Single Mode Fiber. This accomplishment represents a major leap toward integrating the Aristarchos telescope into classical and quantum communication systems. Additionally, the team evaluated daylight background noise using Single Photon Detectors. Effective noise mitigation techniques were demonstrated, reinforcing the viability of satellite-to-ground Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) communication. ✨ This campaign highlights cutting-edge advancements in optical technology, bringing us closer to innovative and secure communication solutions via QKD and laser-based satellite networks. Congratulations to the entire team for this groundbreaking achievement and their invaluable contributions to the future of quantum communications! 👏✨  

🎬 LaiQa Project Video Teaser is now online! 🎬 Take a glance and stay tuned for more to come!

🚀 Exciting News! LaiQa Project will be participating in the International Conference on Space Optics (ICSO 2024), taking place from 21-25 October in Antibes Juan-les-Pins, France. 🌍 ICSO 2024 is the 15th edition of the largest global gathering of experts in Optical, Optoelectronic, and Photonic Technologies for space applications. More specifically, Dr. Giannis Giannoulis from ICCS | PCRL will give a presentation entitled ‘LAIQA: Shaping Quantum Satellite Communications Beyond EAGLE-1‘. 🗓️ The presentation will take place on Thursday, 24 October, 16:10 | Session Topic 11 / 12 (QKD/QIN I) 🛰️In addition to the talk, there will be a poster presentation on 🗓️Tuesday, 22 October, titled “Feasibility Analysis and Deployment Strategies for Satellite-to-Fiber Prepare & Measure and Entanglement-Based QKD Systems,” highlighting LaiQa’s hardware components specification and architectural design. We are looking forward to sharing our advancements and contributing to this important discussion in the field of space optics! 👉 Find out more here.

TNO has the pleasure to host the official start of the LaiQa project. Established organizations of Quantum Satellite Communications in Europe have gathered in our premises to kick off a three-year workplan. #LaiQa is a collaboration to work on enabling global #quantuminternet with satellites.Funded by the European Union, it aims at:– 🚀 further advancing the technical building blocks required for quantum communication,– 🛰️make them suitable for use in space,– and 📜contribute to standardization. “It has a true meaning for us to welcome LaiQa and host its kickoff” said Arnaud de Jong, Managing Director of TNO High Tech Industry. “At TNO, we have just consolidated a roadmap and allocated concrete means on quantum satellite communication, and with LaiQa, we start to make it happen in collaboration with leading players in the European field.