China has taken a step ahead in control encryption technologies launching, Tuesday 16 August, a satellite quantum communication. Beijing itself apart by providing testing, spatially, a key transmission technique deemed inviolable encoding, based on the laws of quantum physics. The project is closely followed by physicists but also by the military.
A Long March 2-D rocket fired Tuesday at 1 h 40 from the Jiuquan base in the Gobi Desert, placed in orbit a quantum experiment satellite spatial scale (Quess, the acronym). Also nicknamed Mozi, after the Chinese philosopher and scientist of the V th century BC, it will, over a two-year mission to test sending hypersécurisées key.
“such means speak volumes about China’s ambitions. She does not hesitate to invest huge sums in this research, “ says Hoi Kwong Lo, quantum cryptography researcher at the University of Toronto (Canada). Quantum Research is one of the priorities of the thirteenth five-year plan, roadmap presented in March and which will guide the Chinese economy until the end of 2020.
Encryption Keys
Meanwhile, the US National Council of science and technology notes in a report released July 26 that if the United States currently spend $ 200 million (€ 177 million) per year in this research field, their rate of progress in the field of quantum information suffered from “instability” of funding.
the Chinese satellite protocol uses quantum properties photons that can be correlated so that changing one changes his twin immediately, so betraying an unwanted response.
If the signals passing between the satellite and the Earth are intercepted by a spy, the source in will report immediately and will not use the information sent. message encryption key can thus be transmitted without risk, while ensuring the security of communications.
Behind the project is a Chinese scientist, Pan Jianwei. In the late 1990s, Mr. Pan wrote his thesis at the University of Vienna, under the direction of a researcher in quantum physics, Anton Zeilinger. The latter says he asked a little later to the European Union (EU) to support a development program of a quantum satellite without obtaining the funding.
Meanwhile, the Chinese perceived strategic applications of such technology, seeing it as a national interest. Mr. Pan, became vice president of China University of Science and Technology, made in 2011, the head of the new program.
“Many people think that quantum communications play a role, particularly in the future of the Internet. It is dual-use, can be both encrypted military communication and commercial, it will be only a matter of applications, “ by phone summarizes Professor Zeilinger, who attends Pan Jianwei the Chinese project was present at the launch of the rocket.
“Use globally”
in May, Mr. Pan was referring to records of leaks national security Agency (NSA) to support the development by China of new encryption technologies. “If Edward Snowden has taught us that in transmission networks, information is at risk of being monitored and attacked by hackers,” he said in the official press. China’s first test secure communications between Beijing and Urumqi, a large city in western remote countries 2 400 km, and between the Chinese capital and that of Austria.
Technology quantum encryption is already used in the soil, for example in the test between banks connected by optical fiber, but of very limited distances. “We know for several years making quantum encryption in the same city, but not between remote areas. The satellite’s job could be considered usage globally “ summarizes Alexander Ling, professor at Quantum Technology Centre of the University of Singapore.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, had regretted in May the “weakness” of his country, “always under the control of other in terms of core technologies in key sectors” . He detailed the goals set by the State: itself as “one of the most innovative country in 2020″ and as an inescapable technological power in 2049, for the centenary of the foundation the People’s Republic.
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