The VQCC at the
QTX-8 Workshop in Munich.

The VQCC participated in the QTX-8 workshop held in Munich from the 5th until the 7th of August, 2024. The workshop takes place once a year and focuses on quantum technologies on small satellites as well as the optical ground stations needed for quantum communication with these satellites. The workshop was kicked off by presentations about the planned satellite missions, followed by a session on optical ground stations being prepared around the globe. Hannah Thiel had been invited to present the plans for the optical ground station in Vigo. The workshop ended with a visit to the DLR Oberpfaffenhofen, where a well established optical ground station was presented along with the Qube (German cubesat to test quantum key distribution – SpaceNews) and Qube II missions.

The QTX-8 workshop was a great opportunity to take inspiration for the VQCC optical ground station and to foster collaborations. Most satellite-based quantum communication experiments will involve multiple research institutions and optical ground stations. Therefore collaborations are especially important.

This is why, on the 9th of August, the VQCC then visited the University of Innsbruck who have received funding to build an optical ground station on a nearby mountain top (InnQOGniTo). Hannah Thiel presented the Vigo optical ground station and engaged in discussions about the design of such ground stations.