At the beginning of 2026, the implementation of the QuGNOPs (Quantum Ground Nodes Deployment and Operations) project began, with the main goal of establishing infrastructure for satellite quantum communication between Germany and Croatia using the European quantum communication satellite Eagle-1 and optical ground stations in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and Zagreb.
The project lead is the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the consortium brings together partners from Croatia: the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Zagreb (FER), the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB), the Croatian Academic and Research Network – CARNET, and the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences of the University of Zagreb (FPZ); and from Germany: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and DLR Space-Time Dynamics (GfR), with the support of the Office of the National Security Council (UVNS).
Within the project, the establishment of German and Croatian satellite quantum communication stations is being carried out, which will enable connection with the European quantum communication satellite Eagle-1 and the development of operational procedures for satellite quantum key distribution (QKD). FER leads the work package for the development of the Croatian QKD ground node, in collaboration with IRB, CARNET, and FPZ, where the optical ground station in Zagreb is being upgraded with sophisticated equipment necessary for satellite quantum communications, including adaptive optics and a quantum receiver. Interoperability with the existing Croatian quantum network CroQCI will also be achieved, opening up the possibility of satellite connection of CroQCI network nodes with nodes of the European network EuroQCI.
Croatian partners on the project will also participate in defining the system's architecture and security concept, and the demonstration campaign of satellite quantum communication between Germany and Croatia will be of particular importance.
The project lasts 42 months and has a total value of over 11 million EUR, which is co-financed through the CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI call of the European Union agency HaDEA, while Croatian co-financing and support for the project are provided by the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth.
QuGNOPs represents an important step towards Croatia's integration into the European quantum-secure communication infrastructure and towards the future operational application of quantum communications in the field of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, with a strong contribution to the development of space technologies in Croatia.
