Poland's Creotech Quantum Secures €1.2 Million Share of ESA Project

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 21, Poland's Creotech Quantum was awarded the European Space Agency's HRQKD project, with a total project value of €2.33 million, of which approximately €1.2 million corresponds to the R&D tasks undertaken by Creotech Quantum. The project will develop a highly sensitive photon detection system based on superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs), targeting laser communication and quantum key distribution applications, with an implementation period of 24 months.

HRQKD stands for "Single-Photon Detectors Based on Superconducting Nanowire Technology for Laser Communication and Quantum Key Distribution." Creotech Quantum will lead the project consortium, responsible for the detector electronic systems, software, complete system integration, testing, and subsequent productization plans. The project aims to raise the relevant technology readiness level to TRL 5, meaning system-level validation will be completed in an environment close to actual application conditions.

SNSPDs will be used to receive extremely weak optical signals and can be deployed at satellite quantum communication ground stations and optical ground stations. The project's application scope includes satellite quantum key distribution, satellite laser communication, and long-distance weak-light links, with subsequent technological extensions possible for lunar communication and deep-space optical communication scenarios. The European Space Agency is currently advancing space quantum communication and optical communication technologies, with satellite links incorporated into Europe's long-term quantum-safe communication system development.

Creotech has previously participated in multiple European Space Agency single-photon detector projects. In January 2026, the company also participated in the "Multi-purpose Quantum Key Distribution receiver for optical ground stations" project, responsible for the QKD receiver control electronics and single-photon detectors, with related tasks valued at approximately €300,000, aimed at designing, manufacturing, and demonstrating a proof-of-concept prototype of a QKD receiver for optical ground stations.

The HRQKD project will build on the previous proof of concept to further advance device performance, control systems, electronics, and software integration, and conduct testing in environments closer to industrial applications. Upon project completion, the detectors will have the technical foundation to enter the engineering product development phase, with target markets covering the space, communications, and defense sectors.

Creotech Quantum currently operates its quantum technology business independently, with product directions including quantum key distribution systems, single-photon detectors, control electronics, and high-precision time synchronization technology. The company has listed single-photon detectors as one of its key commercialization product lines for 2026–2028.