ESA signs contract on SAGA mission for sovereign quantum key distribution capability in Europe
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Security And cryptoGrAphic (SAGA) mission has entered the system definition and preliminary design phase (Phase B2), marking the beginning of the development of the first quantum key sharing mission designed for European governments. A world leading aerospace consortium led by Thales Alenia Space has won a €50 million contract to design the mission.
The SAGA mission aims to design, develop and demonstrate how space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) services can bring a new level of security for Europe. With the quantum revolution around the corner, quantum-proof solutions are a key to secure government communications, and SAGA will stand at the forefront of this all-European endeavour.
The signature took place between Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA's Connectivity and Secure Communications, and Antonio Sturiale, Director of Domain Telecommunication Italy at Thales Alenia Space, in the presence of Aymard de Touzalin, Head of Unit, Emerging & Disruptive Technologies at European Commission during the Quantum Europe Conference in Brussels, Belgium, on 1 October 2025.
Funded under ESA’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES), the SAGA mission aims to develop a satellite quantum key distribution system that has a pan-European reach, ensuring that all EU-Member States have access to a secure and proprietary means of sharing sensitive data. It is a part of a larger project – the European Commission’s European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) – that aims to develop the space and ground secure quantum communication infrastructure for the European Union.
The Phase B2 contract with Thales Alenia Space will allow for the mission and its components to take shape, with development and testing of prototype solutions, as well as a demonstration of the critical technologies. This stage is set to span two years, after which ESA will move on to the manufacturing phase.
“With SAGA, our aim is to ambitiously advance satellite communications, furthering Europe’s digital sovereignty, cybersecurity and industrial competitiveness in the quantum era. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Thales Alenia Space, which puts our Member States at the forefront of the race for truly secure connectivity,” said Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications.
“I am very pleased that Thales Alenia Space will contribute to strengthening Europe’s technological independence by advancing optical and quantum technologies,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “By leveraging its longstanding expertise in secure space communications and cutting-edge quantum technologies, Thales Alenia Space is proud to collaborate with ESA and multiple European space agencies for a secure and resilient connectivity infrastructure that will benefit governments and citizens alike, paving the way for the future of commercial optical communications both in Europe and worldwide.”