June, 26th, 2025 // Light Bridges has signed an agreement with Canadian quantum communications company QEYnet to collaborate on the development and demonstration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology between Earth and space.
With support from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), QEYnet is advancing efforts to improve cybersecurity in satellite communications. The project aims to enable the secure, in-orbit updating of encryption keys—an essential step in preparing for the future of quantum-resilient networks.
During the summer of 2025, QEYnet and Light Bridges will demonstrate the satellite tracking capabilities needed to carry out the forthcoming satellite demonstration. Later in 2025, QEYnet’s quantum transmitter will be installed and tested in preparation for the satellite launch shortly thereafter. After launch, the combined quantum optical station will be used to carry out a series of demonstrations related to spacecraft encryption and adjacent applications.
As part of this collaboration, Light Bridges will act as a ground station and provide critical support using its Two-meter Twin Telescope (TTT) infrastructure. This marks a historic milestone: QEYnet, with assistance from Light Bridges, is set to become the first private entity globally—and only the second organization overall after China’s USTC, led by Prof. Jian-Wei Pan—to demonstrate such a capability.
“We’re proud to support this visionary initiative from the Canary Islands—now widely recognized as the ‘Switzerland of science’.”
“This collaboration underscores the remarkable progress at the intersection of quantum technologies, optical ground stations, and space systems,” says Dr. Antonio Maudes, CEO of Light Bridges. “We’re proud to support this visionary initiative from the Canary Islands—now widely recognized as the ‘Switzerland of science’.”
The partnership also emphasizes the growing importance of international scientific collaboration, specifically strengthening ties between Canada and Spain. Of particular note is the link between the University of Waterloo, a global leader in quantum research, and research institutions in the Canary Islands.
“Ultimately, to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness, any implementation of space-based quantum communication at scale will require the robotic optical ground stations that can be operated remotely and autonomously”, says Cordell Grant, QEYnet’s CEO and co-founder. “Light Bridges’ experience with astronomical implementations of this same capability provides a crucial leg up in implementing such a system for satellite applications”.
“While the immediate application of QEYnet’s technology demonstration is satellite security, the system that will be jointly implemented by QEYnet and Light Bridges is also completely applicable to future global, quantum-secured, communications networks”, says Grant. “This partnership and demonstration should be viewed as the first step in a series of advancements that will see quantum communication technology deployed on a global scale for the first time.”
This collaboration was also made possible through Desafía Canadá, a program promoted by ICEX and the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Ottawa, which connects innovative Spanish startups with Canada’s leading technology ecosystem. By fostering cross-border partnerships and immersing entrepreneurs in key markets like Toronto and Waterloo, Desafía Canadá played a vital role in enabling this international alliance.
