The quantum technology sector continues to accelerate at a pace that makes regular technology look like it's stuck in traffic, and Glasgow-based space engineering firm Craft Prospect has spent the past few months having conversations across the UK, Europe, Japan and the United States about the future of secure communications. That's a lot of time zones for one company, but apparently quantum doesn't sleep.

Senior Quantum Engineer Andrew Kelly presented at two key industry events this year. At the 9th Annual ScyLight Conference in Tenerife, he joined the Quantum Mission session to discuss the quantum and optical CubeSat payloads being developed for the €20 million OPS-SAT VOLT mission. The conference brought together leaders from across Europe, providing an ideal forum to discuss how emerging quantum capabilities can be integrated into future space systems - because nothing says 'international cooperation' like a €20 million satellite payload.

At Newton Q 2026, Andrew presented 'From Optical Table to Orbit: Quantum Technology for Industry and Space', exploring the engineering challenges involved in transforming quantum research into deployable products and space-qualified systems. Discussions throughout the event highlighted growing interest in quantum communications, cybersecurity, photonics, and the infrastructure required to support future quantum networks. In other words, everyone is very excited about the infrastructure required to support the infrastructure required to support future quantum networks.

As governments and industry increase investment in space and quantum technology, international collaboration is becoming increasingly important. At SPACETIDE 2026, held in Tokyo in July, Craft Prospect Managing Director Steve Greenland participated in discussions around UK-Japan collaboration, space security, and the technologies required to build secure and resilient space infrastructure. Those conversations reinforced a clear trend: nations are actively exploring how quantum technologies work together to support future national capabilities. Apparently, 'working together' is the new 'working separately but pretending otherwise'.

Similarly, at ESA's Quantum Technology Workshop in July, Quantum Technology Lead Natalie Pearson and Sales Engineer Rory Ireland engaged with organisations from across the European space sector, discussing emerging technologies and exploring opportunities for future collaboration. That's a lot of collaboration for one month.

At SmallSat 2026 in Salt Lake City in August, the conversation moved from future concepts to practical implementation - a shift that presumably made at least one engineer very happy. As part of Craft Prospect's activities throughout the conference, Head of Engineering Kevin Quillien presented work on The Quantum CubeSat, while Head of Commercial Hina Khan and AI Lead Lucy Donnell showcased progress on OPS-SAT VOLT alongside partners Bright Ascension. The response highlighted significant interest in missions capable of demonstrating secure communications, optical networking, autonomy, and quantum-enabled technologies in orbit. All the things you want in space, minus the drama.

Across every event, one message was consistent: organisations want to move beyond theory and begin testing quantum technologies in realistic operational environments. That growing demand is one of the drivers behind Craft Prospect's development of a new Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Space Network Emulator. The platform is designed to provide a practical environment for demonstrating, integrating, and testing QKD technologies before deployment, helping industry, researchers, and mission teams reduce risk and accelerate development. Because nothing says 'accelerate development' like building a simulator to avoid launching something that doesn't work.

As momentum continues to build around secure communications and quantum networking, facilities that enable rapid experimentation and validation are becoming increasingly important. A recurring theme across every event was the growing convergence of quantum technologies and space systems. As optical communications, quantum-secure networking, QKD and intelligent autonomous platforms mature, they are becoming key enablers of the next generation of Smart Secure Space - a phrase that sounds like it was designed by a committee, but is apparently a real thing.

With quantum technologies increasingly moving from research to deployment, Craft Prospect continues to develop the capabilities needed to support more secure, resilient and intelligent space systems. The company's QKD Space Network Emulator helps organisations explore secure communication architectures, validate quantum technologies and de-risk future missions. For enquiries about the QKD Space Network Emulator, quantum technologies, or potential collaboration opportunities, contact intelligence@craftprospect.com - presumably, they'll respond before the quantum state collapses.