Quantum PocketQube

DragonSat
Defence Quantum

A defence-focused PocketQube mission designed to mature and validate secure, space-based quantum communications capabilities for national security applications.

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Flight Validation

DragonSat advances defence-grade quantum communications by validating critical quantum optics subsystems in orbit. Built on a 1.5P PocketQube platform, the mission characterises quantum state stability, photon integrity, and system resilience under real orbital conditions — directly supporting trusted-node quantum satellite architectures for defence and government users.

Mission

Defence quantum communications

A pioneering PocketQube mission advancing secure, space-based quantum communications for national security and defence applications.

In-orbit

Quantum Validation

DragonSat validates quantum optics subsystems in real orbital conditions to assess performance well beyond the laboratory.

Precision

Photon Integrity & State Stability

The mission characterises quantum state stability and photon integrity to support reliable, secure data transmission.

Foundational

Enabling Secure Networks

Flight results directly inform defence-grade quantum satellite architectures and trusted-node communications networks.

Payload

Quantum Optics

A quantum laboratory in a PocketQube

The payload prepares, transmits, and measures quantum states with high precision within PocketQube constraints.

Onboard processing supports secure data handling and real-time performance assessment, while a resilient power subsystem ensures continuous operation. Results directly inform the design of sovereign, trusted-node quantum payloads for secure national communications infrastructure.

Power

Energy & Endurance

Engineered for sustained operations

DragonSat carries a mission-critical power subsystem built for secure, sustained operation.

Triple-junction GaAs panels reach ~30% efficiency generating ~1 W, while a 1000 mAh Li-Po/Li-Ion battery (~3.7 Wh) provides reliable storage. The PDU delivers regulated 3.3 V and 5 V rails, and integrated MPPT optimises energy harvesting for long-duration, contested-environment operations.

Spacecraft

Onboard Computing

Fault-tolerant by design

DragonSat runs on an ARM Cortex-M4 / RISC-V microcontroller paired with an RTOS, supporting I²C, SPI, UART and GPIO for secure control. Watchdog timers and reset mechanisms maintain uninterrupted operation in the harsh, contested conditions of space.

DragonSat · Avionics & CommsFlight Configuration

Platform1.5P PocketQube

MCUCortex-M4 / RISC-V

Clock100–200 MHz

RAM512 KB

Flash8 MB + SD

OSRTOS / custom

Downlink1.2 kb/s UHF

AntennaDeployable dipole

SolarGaAs ~30% eff.

Battery1000 mAh / 3.7 Wh

Sovereign Capability

A PocketQube engineered for the future

DragonSat unites defence innovators, research institutions, and strategic partners to push the boundaries of secure, space-based quantum communications. Built for experiments in entanglement and coherence within microgravity, it generates the insights that advance encrypted quantum networks — laying the foundation for next-generation space-based communications that enhance national security and strategic advantage.

DragonSatDefence Quantum