Berlin Engineers Send Quantum Tech to Orbit
The QUICK³ flight model in the integration laboratory at the Department of Space Technology with the development team from the TU Berlin. © Lukas Wiese
A shoebox-sized satellite packed with cutting-edge quantum technology successfully launched into orbit on Monday, June 23rd, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Center in California. The QUICK³ mission represents a major step forward in developing hack-proof communication systems, with Berlin's Technical University (TU Berlin) playing a crucial role in making it happen.
According to information from TU Berlin's press release, the 4-kilogram CubeSat serves as a technology demonstrator for future quantum satellite systems. At its heart lies a quantum light source that generates individual light particles (photons) using two-dimensional materials. These photons could eventually enable completely secure data transmission – something impossible to intercept undetected, unlike traditional communication methods.
TU Berlin's contribution proved essential in bringing this ambitious project to life. The university's team developed specialized electronics that control the space experiments, store measurement data, and transmit results back to Earth. They also designed the mechanical structure that keeps sensitive components secure during the intense forces of rocket launch.
"One of the biggest challenges was coordinating interfaces between scientific partners and the satellite bus provider," explains TU Berlin system engineer Philipp Werner. "Our aerospace department served as the connecting function, ensuring the overall system works reliably."
Project leader Julian Bartholomäus highlights Berlin's unique space expertise: "We're the only university worldwide that has launched over 30 satellites into orbit. This experience helped us implement highly automated experiments, building on developments from our TUBIN mission."
The mission addresses a fundamental challenge in quantum communication. While fiber optic cables limit photon transmission over long distances, space offers minimal atmospheric interference – perfect for quantum data transfer. QUICK³ will test whether quantum components function reliably in orbit, providing crucial insights for building a future global quantum communication network.
Beyond technology testing, the mission tackles basic physics questions, examining whether quantum mechanics' Born probability interpretation holds true in zero gravity – something never tested in space before. The team expects initial scientific results by the end of 2025.
