Honeywell and Redwire Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the European Space Agency (ESA)’s Quantum Key Distribution Satellite (QKDSat) project.
Launched in 2024, the initiative is jointly led by the Austrian, Belgian, British, Canadian, and Czech space agencies. QKDSat aims to make satellite communications ultra-secure through quantum technology, reduce the impact of spoofing and jamming, and guarantee the secure transmission of sensitive information.
Lisa Napolitano, vice president and general manager at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, said:
By combining Honeywell’s quantum optical payload technology and experience in satellite communications with Redwire’s expertise in agile platforms and onboard quantum computing, we are bringing the promise of quantum-secured communications closer to reality.
Why is quantum communication different?
While classical cryptography relies on algorithms to encrypt data, quantum security uses principles from quantum physics, such as superposition and entanglement, to create potentially unbreakable communication channels. Additionally, quantum positioning could have a huge impact on navigation technology, representing a significant advancement on GPS.
Honeywell UK were already supporting ESA’s project, but the signing with Redwire unlocks new capabilities. Together, the two companies will launch a combined payload and platform by mid-2026.
Marc Dielissen, General Manager of Redwire Space Belgium, commented:
Quantum-enabled telecommunications could be a gamechanger for government agencies and the private sector, and our collaboration with Honeywell is focused on delivering cutting edge innovation to mitigate increasingly sophisticated threats.
Working together with ESA, the world-class team of Redwire and Honeywell leverages the strength of Public-Private Partnerships to initiate a quantum-secure space network that could set a new standard for secure global communications.
The news comes amid escalating reports of Russian interference in European airspace. Last month, a plane carrying the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was targeted by suspected Russian GPS spoofing.
Meanwhile, a September 2025 report revealed that more than a quarter of flights over Baltic airspace were disrupted by Russian interference with navigation signals in the first four months of 2025.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026, where expert panels will be discussing the future of cybersecurity in aviation, including reducing GPS spoofing and jamming.
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