China's 1st hack proof quantum satellite becomes operational

China today said its quantum communication satellite, boosting hack proof and ultra high- security features, is officially operational after four months of in-orbit testing.
Testing of the satellite, pay-loads and space-ground links have been completed, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) said, adding that everything was operating properly.
The Quantum Experiments at Space Scale (QUESS) satellite is the first-ever space-ground test platform for quantum communication, Wang Jianyu, executive deputy chief engineer of the project said.
The research team has begun to carry out experiments and preliminary data has been obtained, Pan Jianwei, chief scientist on the project said, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

China successfully launched the world's first quantum satellite from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on August 16, 2016.
QUESS will explore "hack-proof" quantum communications by transmitting unhackable keys from space, and provide insight into the strangest phenomenon in quantum physics -- quantum entanglement.

It attracted world wide attention for its strategic importance as its operations can not be monitored unlike other satellites.
Its computing ability is also viewed as a threat in that it could make everything on a conventional computer hackable.
However, like a coin with two sides,quantummechanics also serves as protector of information.
Quantumkey technology boasts ultra-high security as a photon can be neither separated nor duplicated, so it is impossible to wiretap or intercept the information transmitting through it, earlier official media reports said.

Moreover, it has the ability to inform the two communicating users of the presence of any third party trying to eavesdrop.
At the same time, the information being intercepted would "collapse" or self-destruct, the reports said.