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China successfully launched the world's first quantum satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern Gobi Desert at 1:40 a.m. on Tuesday.
In a cloud of smoke, the satellite, Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS), roared into the dark sky on top of a Long March-2D rocket.
The 600-plus-kilogram satellite will circle the Earth once every 90 minutes after it enters a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 kilometers.
It is nicknamed "Micius," after a fifth century B.C. Chinese philosopher and scientist who has been credited as the first one in human history conducting optical experiments.
The rocket blasted off on Tuesady early morning. Photo By: Xinhua
In its two-year mission, QUESS is designed to establish "hack-proof" quantum communications by transmitting uncrackable keys from space to the ground, and provide insights into the strangest phenomenon in quantum physics -- quantum entanglement.
The successful launch also noticed by U.S. expert Alexander Sergienko, the professor of electrical and computer engineering at the Boston University, who said it was "very exciting" and can help conduct experiments that may lead to "much more secure" quantum communications.
The rocket blasted off on Tuesady early morning. Photo By: Xinhua
"The event is indeed very exciting and does carry global importance because this would be the first such experiment," said Alexander Sergienko.
He added that the 20-year quantum communication race is now moving in the near space in order to cover longer distances between different metropolitan areas.
Quantum communication boasts ultra-high security as a quantum photon can neither be separated nor duplicated. It is hence impossible to wiretap, intercept or crack the information transmitted through it.
The rocket launcher. Photo By: Xinhua
With the help of the new satellite, scientists will be able to test quantum key distribution between the satellite and ground stations, and conduct secure quantum communications between Beijing and Xinjiang's Urumqi.
QUESS, as planned, will also beam entangled photons to two earth stations, 1,200 kilometers apart, in a move to test quantum entanglement over a greater distance, as well as test quantum teleportation between a ground station in Ali, Tibet, and itself.
(APD)
