WISeKey Advances Space Tech: Mid-June Satellite Launch from California

WISeKey International Holding Ltd (SIX: WIHN) (WISeKey), a Swiss based cybersecurity and IoT company, announced today that its subsidiary WISeSat has launched its Trusted Near Field Communication (NFC) distance authentication solution whose technology will be utilized to the recently signed agreement with Kenya Israel Power Firm (KIPF).

Space SA, is due to send its new-generation WISeSat satellite into orbit in California, in mid-June. This mission is a big step toward building a quantum-secure space communications system and protecting global data infrastructure against future quantum threats.

The forthcoming launch will see the deployment of WISeSat 3.0, a next-generation satellite that serves as a space-based Proof-of-Concept for Post-Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). At the heart of WISeSat 3.0 is the SEALSQ Corp’s (NASDAQ: LAES) Quantum RootKey, a hardware-based, root-of-trust module designed to defend against classical and post-quantum cyber-attacks.

This vital piece ensures cryptographic transactions are tamper-resistant even from the level of visible space, where sensitive material needs to be protected.

The satellite will be using NIST standard Post-Quantum algorithms, CRYSTALS-Kyber and CRYSTALS-Dilithium These have been selected by NIST in August 2024. These algorithms are crucial for critical infrastructure sectors’ security, allowing encrypted communication of sensitive information including Earth observation and defence telemetry, and ensuring secure command authentication for non-authorized satellite control.

In addition to its strong security, WISeSat 3.0 will enable the secure activation of one billion IoT devices and is offering from space the Quantum-Resistant digital identities, with or without power supply, even in isolated or non-connected regions. The mission will see a PS PoC that will showcase SEALCOIN’s capacity to perform secure decentralized M2M transactions to be generated from the satellite itself, utilizing the Hedera DLT (Decentralized Ledger Technology).

This deployment is an important milestone for the WISeSat project. Space’s aggressive goal of forming a massive constellation of satellites by 2027. This merger will incorporate WISeKey’s cryptographic keys with SEALSQ’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) semiconductor technology to enable the rapid roll-out of QKD, a key development cornerstone, as well as a scalable “Satellite-as-a-Service” business offerings. Decentralized IoT-based transactions will be supported by this model, and quantum-safe communication from space will be guaranteed.

The continued deepening of WISeKey’s expertise in space technology demonstrates Europe’s commitment to space sovereignty and secure digital transformation as we move towards a new generation of cyber-resilient, quantum-ready space systems.”