Study of the quantum channel between earth and space for satellite quantum communications

In this work there are studied the conditions for the effective quantum communications between a terminal on Earth and the other onboard of an orbiter. The quantum key distribution between a LEO satellite and a ground station is studied in particular. The effect of the propagation over long distances as well as the background during day or night is modeled, compared and discussed in the context of key generation and exchange. © ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering 2009.