WISeKey International Holding Ltd (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY) is spearheading the defense of space infrastructure against the rapidly approaching threat of quantum computing, initiating Proof-of-Concept testing on post-quantum cryptography aboard satellites in late 2025, with a full operational satellite launch slated for Q2 2026. As quantum computers gain power, today’s encryption standards become vulnerable, jeopardizing vital satellite communications and data. The company convened global thought-leaders at Davos to address this urgent challenge, emphasizing that “retrofitting after launch is not an option.” Mohammed Aboul-Magd, Vice President at SandboxAQ, warned that “post-quantum security must be deployed now to protect space systems expected to operate for decades,” signaling a critical shift towards quantum-resistant technologies for orbital assets.
Quantum Threats Drive Post-Quantum Space Security Focus
The escalating capabilities of quantum computing are forcing a fundamental reassessment of space infrastructure security, demanding a proactive shift towards post-quantum cryptography (PQC). WISeSat.Space recently convened global experts in Davos to address this urgent challenge, highlighting the vulnerability of current systems. Traditional cryptographic standards like RSA and ECC, cornerstones of satellite communications and data protection, are increasingly susceptible to decryption by future quantum computers, necessitating a paradigm shift in how we safeguard assets in orbit.
The focus is now squarely on building quantum-resistant systems, not as a future consideration, but as an immediate necessity. “The space domain is rapidly becoming the backbone of our digital and geopolitical infrastructure,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, emphasizing the critical importance of embedding quantum-ready security measures from the outset. WISeSat.Space demonstrated concrete progress in late 2025 by initiating proof-of-concept testing of post-quantum cryptography on satellites, with a fully operational PQC Satellite slated for launch in Q2 2026. These initiatives are coinciding with the standardization of PQC algorithms by NIST, accelerating adoption and fostering specialized training programs.
Beyond algorithmic advancements, hardware is playing a crucial role. Secure, quantum-resistant semiconductors are becoming foundational, enabling trusted identities and tamper-resistant operations in orbit. Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12, stressed that “next-generation satellite platforms must integrate security at the hardware and payload levels from inception,” a sentiment echoed by multiple roundtable participants. The consensus is clear: retrofitting security after launch is not viable. Colonel Ludovic Monnerat, Head of Space Command at the Swiss Armed Forces, underscored the need for quantum-resilient identity and secure command-and-control systems to protect sovereign assets.
Furthermore, the increasing complexity of space operations—including active debris removal and in-orbit servicing—demands authenticated and secure systems, as Luc Piguet, CEO of ClearSpace, noted. “As active debris removal and in-orbit servicing expand, the distinction between a ‘helper’ and a ‘threat’ becomes purely software-defined.”
WISeSat.Space Initiates Satellite PQC Testing & 2026 Launch
WISeSat.Space is actively addressing the escalating threat to satellite infrastructure posed by the advent of quantum computing, initiating crucial post-quantum cryptography (PQC) testing on satellites in late 2025. This move signifies a proactive approach to safeguarding space-based assets, recognizing the vulnerability of current RSA and ECC encryption standards. A full operational WISeSat PQC Satellite is slated for launch in the second quarter of 2026, representing a tangible step towards a quantum-ready space environment. The company convened thought leaders at the WISeKey Davos 2026 program to discuss these challenges, bringing together experts from defense, space technology, and cybersecurity sectors.
The urgency stems from the potential for quantum computers to compromise sensitive data both in transit and impacting sovereign space assets. WISeSat.Space is implementing hybrid cryptographic systems, specifically Triple Key Encapsulation Mechanisms (KEMs), combining PQC with existing elliptic-curve cryptography for an immediate bolstering of security. Benjamin Guyot, CEO of SpaceTalk, highlighted the importance of secure satellite communications, emphasizing “end-to-end authentication and cryptographic agility to maintain trust across commercial and governmental space networks.” The initiative acknowledges operational constraints; algorithms must be optimized for the limited processing power, bandwidth, and latency inherent in space environments.
“Post-quantum security must be deployed now to protect space systems expected to operate for decades.”
Mohammed Aboul-Magd, Vice President at SandboxAQ
Triple KEMs & Hardware-Anchored Trust for Satellites
The escalating threat of quantum computers cracking current encryption standards is driving a fundamental shift in satellite security, moving beyond purely algorithmic solutions to embrace deeply embedded hardware protections. Recent discussions at the WISeSat.Space Quantum Security Space Roundtable in Davos highlighted a move toward proactive, rather than reactive, security measures for orbital infrastructure. This layered defense is critical during the transition period, as complete reliance on nascent post-quantum algorithms isn’t yet viable. The roundtable emphasized that satellites are now central to global communications, defense, and digital sovereignty, fundamentally altering existing security paradigms.
NIST Standards & Crypto-Agility for Space Operations
The burgeoning space sector faces a unique and accelerating cybersecurity threat: the advent of quantum computing. Experts are emphasizing that simply waiting for quantum computers to mature before addressing vulnerabilities is insufficient; satellites, with lifespans measured in decades, require immediate fortification. A key element in this fortification is the adoption of standards set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This approach offers a transitional layer of protection, safeguarding communications between satellites and ground stations against both current and future threats. The roundtable also emphasized the importance of hardware-anchored trust.
María Pía Aqueveque Jabbaz, Technologist and Strategic Systems Architect, highlighted a shift in perspective, viewing space not just as a connectivity layer, but as a “trust and market layer.”
