About

Padua SQI26 is to bring together researchers and technologists interested in proposing or realizing experiments of quantum science in space, or to develop instruments or technology aimed to operate in space or along free-space links as validators or proofs of concept. The domain is broad: fundamental tests, space-based science, quantum sensing & PNT, computing, and communication, plus a session on industrial support.

The idea is to work together to envisage the most promising and advanced satellite, ground station, links concepts and functionalities to aim at meaningful and realistic experiments or realization of quantum information protocols in space or between space and ground networks.

Participants shall contribute with ideas and possible solutions, seeking for potential synergies with others to enhance the impact and the concreteness of a proposal, in order to make it suitable for being proposed to an Agency for its realization.

The following topics (non-exhaustive) are within the scope of the workshop:

• Space-based Fundamental Physics utilising Quantum Technologies and/or probing Quantum Effects
• Satellite entanglement distribution and distributed quantum information processing
• Multipoint space quantum communications
• Space-based Quantum Cryptography and Quantum Communications beyond QKD
• Quantum Sensing/PNT utilising Space Assets
• Space-based experiments with quantum memories/repeaters
• Space-based experiments with different physical systems: ensemble cold-atom systems, neutral atoms/ions, superconducting, solid state quantum
• Quantum Technologies for Space-based Science

Workshop Format

Since the purpose of the workshop is to foster discussion, coordination, networking, and sharing of ideas, the format will be geared towards Keynotes, Discussion Panels, a few Contributed Talks, and Posters. There will be ample time for informal ineractions in a relaxing and collaborative atmosphere.

Scientific Committee

Name	Institution
Paolo Villoresi	University of Padua
Daniel Oi	Strathclyde University Glasgow
Eleni Diamanti	CNRS & Sorbonne University Paris
Giuseppe Vallone	University of Padua
Antia Lamas-Linares	University of Vigo
Tristan Valenzuela	RAL Space
Alex Ling	NUS Singapore
Markus Krutzik	Humboldt Berlin
Kai Bongs & Matthias Zimmerman	DLR Ulm
Harald Weinfurter	LMU & Max Planck Munich
Hendrik Ulbricht	University of Southampton
Daniele Dequal	ESA
Christoph Marquardt	Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg & Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light

Program Schedule

Wednesday 20/5/2026

9:00 – 9:10	Registration
9:10 – 9:15	Introduction
9:15 – 9:45	Keynote: Giuseppe Vallone – Long-distance quantum communication in Space
9:45 – 10:00	Talk: Tristan Valenzuela-Salazar – CAITDM: Cold atom interferometer for thermospheric density measurements
10:00 – 10:30	Coffee break
10:30 – 11:00	Keynote: Matthias Zimmermann – Advanced Quantum Networks: Future Applications and Technology Demonstrations
11:00 – 11:15	Talk: Rainer Kaltenbaek – MAQRO
11:15 – 11:30	Talk: Isabella Cerutti – Lorentz transformations in quantum space links
11:30 – 11:40	Talk: Frédéric Grosshans – Quantum Satellite Networking research at Sorbonne Université
11:40 – 12:00	Panel: Basic Research in Space
12:00 – 13:45	Lunch
13:45 – 14:00	Discussion: Expected Outcomes
14:00 – 14:30	Keynote: Christoph Marquardt – Quantum Communication from Space: Lessons Learned
14:30 – 14:45	Talk: Rain Wang – Boeing for a Global Quantum Intermet
14:45 – 15:00	Talk: Josefine Kraus – QUICK3 satellite: Integrated multi-path-interferometer for fundamental physics tests in LEO
15:00 – 15:10	Talk: Manik Dawar – Feasibility of large-scale entanglement networks
15:10 – 15:30	Panel: Missions
15:30 – 16:00	Break
16:00 – 18:00	Posters + Reception

Thursday 21/5/2026

9:00 – 9:30	Keynote: Fabian Steinlechner – High-dimensional quantum communication in free space
9:30 – 9:45	Talk: Patrick Ledingham – Ground-Station Quantum Memory for Space Quantum Communications
9:45 – 10:00	Talk: Daniele Dequale – The QUASAR initiative: Extending quantum networks to space
10:00 – 10:10	Talk: Luigi Santamaria – Single photon spatial mode demultiplexing based Imaging and spectroscopy
10:10 – 10:30	Panel: Building Blocks
10:30 – 11:00	Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30	Keynote: Lukas Knips – QUBE-II – Quantum Key Distribution with a CubeSat
11:30 – 11:45	Talk: Manuel Erhard – Daylight QKD enabled by hyper-and high-dimensional entanglement
11:45 – 12:00	Talk: Gabriele Riccardi – Securing the post-Quantum Era: The Strategic Role of Satellite Quantum Key Distribution
12:00 – 12:10	Talk: Kannan Vijayadharan – TBA
12:10 – 12:30	Panel: Space Technologies
12:30 – 14:00	Workshop Photo & Lunch
14:00 – 15:00	Bus to Sarcedo (VI)
15:00 – 16:00	Tour Sarcedo Industrial Optical Plans Officina Stellare – ground and space telescopes ThinkQuantum
17:00 – 18:00	Bus to Padua (PD)
19:30	Workshop Dinner in Padua City Center (Antico Brolo – Corso Milano, 22 Padova)

Officina Stellare Visit (21/5/2026):

• There will be a bus to take visitors to Sarcedo for the visit. Please go to the bus at 14:10 from Via Trieste, 21, 35131 Padova PD https://maps.app.goo.gl/x5rxnfpfUqShkrBn8 (roadworks prevent the bus getting closer to the department)
• After the visit, the bus will return to Padua and drop off people near the Department around 18:30.

Workshop Dinner (21/5/2026):

• The dinner will start at 19:30 and is at Antico Brolo l’Osteria, Corso Milano, 22, 35139 Padova PD, https://maps.app.goo.gl/x2gpJLQky3fn5heJ6
• Please make your own way to the restaurant. The U10 bus goes from near the Department to the restaurant https://maps.app.goo.gl/uTd5EM7QL4S1jf9C8 else it is a 27 min walk through the city.

Friday 22/5/2026

9:00 – 9:30	Keynote: Christian Fuchs – Optical Link Technologies for Satellite based Quantum Key Distribution
9:30 – 9:45	Talk: Siddarth Joshi – Space Platform for Optical Quantum Communication (SPOQC)
9:45 – 10:00	Talk: Sushil Mujumdar – Scientific ballooning capabilities at TIFR, India
10:00 – 10:10	Talk: Daniel Rieländer – From Academia to Industry and Real World Products
10:10 – 10:30	Panel: OGSs and Link Diversity
10:30 – 11:00	Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:30	Keynote: Simone Capeleto – Quantum Information: an industrial viewpoint
11:30 – 11:45	Talk: Andrea Geraldi – Quantum technology for secure space communications
11:45 – 12:00	Talk: Mustafa Gundogan – Space-bone quantum memories: prospects and challenges
12:00 – 12:10	Talk: Zeki Seskir – Collaborating Under Constraints: Industrialising Space Quantum Technologies
12:10 – 12:30	Panel: Industrialisation
12:30 – 14:00	Lunch
14:00 – 14:30	Workshop wrap up Conclusions

Check here to see and download the schedule as PDF file.

Click here to see the abstracts of the talks.

Application

Applications and abstract submissions for the Padua Satellite Quantum Communication Workshop 2026 are officially closed.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers

Giuseppe Vallone	University of Padua & ThinkQuantum
Makan Mohgageg	Boeing
Fabian Steinlechner	Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Simone Capeleto	ThinkQuantum
Matthias Zimmermann	German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Quantum Technologies
Christoph Marquardt	Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light & FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
Lukas Knips	Ludwig Maximilian University
Christian Fuchs	German Aerospace Center (DLR), Optical Satellite Links Department

Contact

Feel free to get in touch with us: padua.sqi26@gmail.com