On 1 January 2026, the implementation of the QuGNOPs project (Deployment and Operations of Quantum Ground Nodes) began. The project’s main objective is to establish infrastructure for satellite-based quantum communication between Germany and Croatia using the European quantum communication satellite Eagle-1 and optical ground stations in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and in Zagreb.

The project is led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The consortium brings together partners from Croatia the University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB), the Croatian Academic and Research Network - CARNET, and the University of Zagreb Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences (FPZ), and from Germany - the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and the DLR Gesellschaft für Raumfahrtanwendungen (GfR), with the support of the Croatian Office of the National Security Council (UVNS).

"FER leads the work package for the development of the Croatian QKD ground node, in cooperation with IRB, CARNET, and FPZ. As part of this effort, the optical ground station in Zagreb will be upgraded with sophisticated equipment required for satellite quantum communications, including adaptive optics and a quantum receiver. Interoperability with the existing Croatian quantum network CroQCI will also be achieved, opening the possibility of satellite-based interconnection between CroQCI nodes and nodes of the European EuroQCI network. Croatian partners also participate in defining the system architecture and security concept, with particular importance placed on the demonstration campaign of satellite quantum communication between Germany and Croatia", emphasizes Assoc. Prof. Josip Vuković, PhD, the project leader at FER.

Within the project, German and Croatian satellite quantum communication ground stations will be established, enabling connectivity with the European quantum communication satellite Eagle-1 and the development of operational procedures for satellite-based quantum key distribution (QKD).

The project will last 42 months and has a total value of over EUR 11 million. The project is co-funded through the EU HaDEA call CEF-DIG-2024-EUROQCI, while Croatian co-financing and support are provided by the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth.

The QuGNOPs represents an important step toward integrating Croatia into the European quantum-secure communication infrastructure and toward the future operational deployment of quantum communications in the fields of cybersecurity and critical infrastructure, while making a strong contribution to the development of space technologies in Croatia.
 

Optical ground station, Zagreb
 

Optical ground station, Oberpfaffenhofen

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