India’s Quantum Satellite Initiative

India plans to launch its first quantum satellite within 2-3 years under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved in April 2023 with a ₹6,000 crore budget. This satellite will use quantum technology to enhance secure communications and address potential threats from quantum computing to traditional encryption systems. A key feature is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), ensuring encryption integrity. With Hanle, Ladakh, as a potential QKD testing site, India aims to establish itself in the global quantum race. Despite its promise, QKD faces challenges like high costs and hardware limitations, while integrating post-quantum cryptography could fortify traditional encryption.