IonQ has agreed to buy Capella Space and Lightsynq Technologies to advance its plan to develop a space-based quantum key distribution, or QKD, network and extend its vision for the quantum internet.
College Park, Maryland-based IonQ said Wednesday it expects the Capella Space transaction to conclude in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Space-Based QKD Network
IonQ expects the proposed acquisition of Capella Space to expand its quantum computing partnerships with U.S. top-secret government agencies and boost its position in advancing quantum networking technologies that could back infrastructure development in the space economy.
QKD uses quantum technologies to help secure communications, ensuring that encryption keys cannot be intercepted without detection.
“We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global Quantum Key Distribution will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications,” said IonQ CEO Niccolo de Masi. “Through our announced acquisitions of Lightsynq and Capella today, and the work we’ll do with Intellian, IonQ is well positioned to lead the next-generation quantum internet.”
In mid-April, IonQ signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea-based Intellian Technologies to explore ways to transform satellite communications through secure quantum networking.
Capella Space CEO Frank Backes said the company’s satellite constellation and platform “will integrate with IonQ’s quantum capabilities to enhance analytics, sensors, and security to bolster commercial applications and global defense and intelligence missions.”
Upon the deal’s closing, Capella Space will run as a wholly owned subsidiary of IonQ and Backes will oversee IonQ’s quantum space initiatives.
Leveraging Quantum Repeaters
“IonQ’s vision has always been to scale our quantum networks through quantum repeaters, and scale our quantum compute power through photonic interconnects. Today’s announcement of our intention to acquire Lightsynq helps accelerate both roadmaps,” de Masi said in a statement.
Boston-based startup Lightsynq was founded by Harvard University quantum memory experts Mihir Bhaskar, Bart Machielse and David Levonian who developed the first quantum repeater that could extend the range of quantum networks. Bhaskar is CEO of Lightsynq, while Machielse and Levonian serve as chief technology officer and chief product officer, respectively.
De Masi also welcomed the addition of Lightsynq founders to IonQ and noted that their technology “will accelerate IonQ’s commercial quantum computer delivery to 10,000s and ultimately millions of qubits.”
“Our photonic interconnect will integrate with IonQ’s quantum processing units (QPUs) to boost connection speeds and ensure long term market-leading scale and power in quantum computing. Our interconnect will also be critical for IonQ to build the quantum internet, enabling entirely new applications for customers in the financial, telecommunications, aerospace, and defense sectors,” said Bhaskar.
Under the transaction, IonQ will own Lightsynq’s portfolio of over 20 technology patents and patent applications related to quantum memory.
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