Glasgow, UK | 21 October 2026 — The race to secure the future of global communications is accelerating at a breathtaking pace, and Scottish space engineering pioneer Craft Prospect has found itself at the very heart of the international conversation. Over the past few months, the Glasgow-based company has taken its expertise to prominent stages across the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, and the United States, engaging with industry leaders, government officials, and research institutions to shape the next generation of secure, space-borne quantum infrastructure.
As governments and commercial entities alike recognize the vulnerabilities of traditional data networks in an era of rapidly advancing computational power, the demand for quantum-secure solutions has never been more urgent. Craft Prospect’s recent international engagement highlights a pivotal shift in the aerospace and telecommunications sectors: the transition of quantum technology from theoretical laboratory experiments into robust, deployable assets operating in low-Earth orbit.
Taking Quantum Technology from the Lab to Orbit
A cornerstone of Craft Prospect’s recent advocacy involves bridging the vast gap between sensitive optical tables on Earth and the harsh, unforgiving environment of space. Senior Quantum Engineer Andrew Kelly has been instrumental in this messaging, representing the company at two vital industry gatherings this year.
At the 9th Annual ScyLight Conference in Tenerife, Kelly participated in the specialized Quantum Mission session. There, he addressed an audience of European space leaders, detailing the sophisticated quantum and optical CubeSat payloads currently under development for the €20 million OPS-SAT VOLT mission. The conference served as an ideal platform to evaluate how emerging quantum capabilities can be seamlessly integrated into existing and future European space architectures, ensuring long-term resilience for continental networks.
Continuing this outreach at Newton Q 2026, Kelly delivered a compelling presentation titled “From Optical Table to Orbit: Quantum Technology for Industry and Space.” His talk unpacked the intricate engineering challenges inherent in transforming delicate quantum research into flight-ready, space-qualified products. Discussions throughout the event reflected a surging appetite for advancements in quantum communications, cybersecurity, photonics, and the ground-station infrastructure required to support forthcoming quantum networks on a global scale.
Growing International Interest and Strategic Partnerships
Because the mastery of space-based quantum infrastructure requires resources and expertise that span borders, international collaboration has emerged as a critical driver for success. Craft Prospect’s leadership has been actively forging these vital cross-continental relationships.
At SPACETIDE 2026, held in Tokyo this past July, Craft Prospect Managing Director Steve Greenland engaged in high-level discussions focusing on UK-Japan collaboration, space security, and the foundational technologies necessary to build secure, resilient space infrastructures. These dialogues underscored a broader global trend: nations are increasingly looking toward quantum technologies to safeguard critical infrastructure and guarantee sovereign communication channels against sophisticated future threats.
Concurrently, at the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Quantum Technology Workshop in July, Quantum Technology Lead Natalie Pearson and Sales Engineer Rory Ireland connected with key stakeholders from across the European space sector. Their discussions centered on emerging technologies and the identification of concrete opportunities for future collaborative missions, reinforcing Europe’s collective commitment to technological leadership in the quantum domain.
Showcasing the Quantum CubeSat Vision
By August, the global aerospace community converged on Salt Lake City for SmallSat 2026, where the discourse shifted decisively from theoretical concepts to practical, in-orbit implementation.
Craft Prospect maintained a robust presence throughout the conference. Head of Engineering Kevin Quillien presented detailed findings on the ongoing development of The Quantum CubeSat, illustrating the practical steps required to operationalize quantum payloads. Meanwhile, Head of Commercial Hina Khan and AI Lead Lucy Donnell teamed up with mission partners Bright Ascension to showcase significant progress on the OPS-SAT VOLT mission.
The reception from the international small satellite community was overwhelmingly positive, signaling a strong market appetite for missions capable of demonstrating secure communications, advanced optical networking, onboard autonomy, and quantum-enabled technologies directly in orbit. For industry observers wishing to dive deeper into the technical architecture, Craft Prospect’s comprehensive Quantum CubeSat poster remains accessible online through the SmallSat conference archives.
Rising Demand for Demonstration Platforms
Across every continent and conference attended this year, one central message resonated clearly among operators and researchers: stakeholders are eager to move past theoretical proofs and begin testing quantum technologies in realistic, operational environments.
This growing market demand for validation platforms directly inspired Craft Prospect to develop its new Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Space Network Emulator. Designed to serve as a comprehensive operational environment, the platform allows industry players, academic researchers, and mission teams to demonstrate, integrate, and rigorously test QKD technologies prior to actual launch. By identifying potential failure points and streamlining integration on the ground, the emulator significantly reduces mission risk and accelerates overall development timelines.
As momentum continues to build around secure communications and quantum networking, facilities that enable rapid experimentation, risk reduction, and hardware-in-the-loop validation are becoming indispensable assets for the aerospace industry.
Looking Ahead to Smart Secure Space
A recurring theme woven through all of Craft Prospect’s recent international engagements is the profound convergence of quantum mechanics and modern space systems. As optical communications, quantum-secure networking, QKD protocols, and intelligent autonomous platforms continue to mature, they are rapidly coalescing into the foundational pillars of the next generation of Smart Secure Space.
With quantum technologies standing firmly on the precipice between legacy research and widespread deployment, Craft Prospect remains dedicated to engineering the sophisticated capabilities required to support more secure, resilient, and intelligent orbital systems for years to come.
Organizations looking to accelerate their journey toward quantum-secure communications can leverage Craft Prospect’s specialized tools, such as the QKD Space Network Emulator, to explore secure communication architectures, validate quantum payloads, and thoroughly de-risk upcoming missions. For further inquiries regarding the emulator, broader quantum technology portfolios, or potential collaboration opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to reach out directly to the team via email.
