Heriot-Watt University
University · Edinburgh
Edinburgh university at the head of the £21.9m Integrated Quantum Networks Hub and the SPOQC quantum key distribution CubeSat launched in March 2026.
Active Collaboration
SPOQC: Satellite Platform for Optical Quantum Communications
A UK CubeSat mission to test quantum key distribution between a satellite and a ground station in Edinburgh.
Project data last updated 11 October 2026
About this project
SPOQC is led through the Heriot-Watt University-led Integrated Quantum Networks Hub, following six years of work in the earlier Quantum Communications Hub. The satellite launched on 30 March 2026 on a SpaceX Transporter-16 flight from Vandenberg.
The universities of Bristol and York built the quantum sources and ground receivers, and Strathclyde provided modelling. ISISPACE supplied the satellite. Signals are to be received at the Hub Optical Ground Station at Heriot-Watt, with full experiments expected in the second half of 2026.
Lead organisation
Partners (5)
University of Bristol
University · Bristol
University of Strathclyde
University · Glasgow
University of York
University · York
Science and Technology Facilities Council
National lab · Swindon
ISISPACE
Company · Delft
Funders
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Funder · Swindon
In the news
Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.
Researchers Simulate Molecules Using Ten Thousand Qubits, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Achieving complete quantum simulations once required resources beyond current capabilities; now, calculations previously intractable are possible using approximately ten thousand physical qubits. This new compilation framework estimates end-to-end runtimes, from 102 milliseconds on photonic or super
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Fusion energy research gets a boost from new transatlantic links, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
Transatlantic partnership signed to accelerate fusion energy transatlantic partnership fusion Transatlantic partnership signed to accelerate fusion energy Posted on Wednesday 23 September 2026 Higher education institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom have established a transatlantic
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
New Quantum Spintronics Center Launches with German-Korean Ties, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The Max Planck-Korea-PSI Center for Quantum Emergent Spintronics, KOMQUEST, officially began operations September 13, 2026, uniting six institutions to advance spin-based technologies.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Bristol and NQCC launch intensive quantum computing courses, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The NQCC and University of Bristol offer two intensive, six-week online programs in quantum information and computation, ideal for STEM professionals.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
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