Jena, May 19, 2026. Jena is becoming a central hub for future European cybersecurity. As part of the 18-million-euro project “TransEuroOGS,” one of eight optical ground stations for tap-proof quantum communication across Europe is being established in the city on the Saale.
- Project Name: TransEuroOGS
- Project Goal: Tap-proof communication between satellites and terrestrial networks
- Technology: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
- Locations: Eight ground stations in Germany (incl. Jena), Greece, Ireland, and Luxembourg
- Budget: approx. 18 million euros (funded by the EU and participating member states)
- Coordination: Torsten Siebert, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) Jena
Building a European Security Network
The European communication infrastructure is to be massively secured against hacker attacks in the future. To this end, the TransEuroOGS project was launched at the end of April with kick-off events in Berlin and Jena. A total of 15 partners – including universities, non-university research institutions, national space agencies, as well as ministries and industrial companies – are pooling their resources. The goal: the establishment of a quantum-secured network of optical ground stations spanning four EU member states.
According to the Jena-based Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), which is significantly involved in the implementation, the project forms a decisive component of the EuroQCI initiative. This is a program for the EU-wide construction of a critical quantum communication infrastructure.
Quantum Technology Protects Against Eavesdropping
At the center of the technical efforts is so-called Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This technology utilizes the physical principles of quantum mechanics: any attempt to intercept or copy the transmitted data inevitably changes the state of the quanta. This is noticed immediately, making communication between satellites and terrestrial fiber-optic networks physically tap-proof.
In addition to the construction of the ground stations – one of which will begin its service directly in Jena – researchers are also focusing on the development of uniform European standards. This is the only way to ensure a smoothly functioning, interoperable network across the entire continent in the long term.
Project coordinator Torsten Siebert from Fraunhofer IOF emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation: the collaboration demonstrates the immense potential that arises when Europe unites its resources from research and industry. This is the decisive step to bring highly complex technology from the laboratory into practical application.
Background: Jena as a Center of Photonics
The choice of Jena as a location for one of the high-tech ground stations is no coincidence. The city looks back on a long history in optics and precision engineering. Today, the Beutenberg Campus in the south of the city is an internationally recognized center of excellence for photonics and quantum technology. The Fraunhofer IOF located there has been conducting intensive research on satellite-based quantum communication for years and is driving the miniaturization of optical instruments for space use.
Source:
European project networks optical ground stations for quantum communication
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.