Ahmadi, NajmeNajmeAhmadiSchwertfeger, SvenSvenSchwertfegerWerner, PhilippPhilippWernerWiese, LukasLukasWieseLester, JosephJosephLesterRos, Elisa daElisa daRosKrause, JosefineJosefineKrauseRitter, Sebastian DavidSebastian DavidRitterAbasifard, MostafaMostafaAbasifardCholsuk, ChanapromChanapromCholsukKrämer, Ria G.Ria G.KrämerAtzeni, SimoneSimoneAtzeniGündogan, MustafaMustafaGündoganSachidananda, SubashSubashSachidanandaPardo, DanielDanielPardoNolte, StefanStefanNolteLohrmann, AlexanderAlexanderLohrmannLing, AlexanderAlexanderLingBartholomäus, JulianJulianBartholomäusCorrielli, GiacomoGiacomoCorrielliKrutzik, MarkusMarkusKrutzikVogl, TobiasTobiasVogl2024-02-212024-02-212023-01https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/46232210.48550/arXiv.2301.11177Modern quantum technologies have matured such that they can now be used in space applica tions, e.g., long-distance quantum communication. Here, we present the design of a compact true single photon source that can enhance the secure data rates in satellite-based quantum key distri bution scenarios compared to conventional laser-based light sources. Our quantum light source is a fluorescent color center in hexagonal boron nitride. The emitter is off-resonantly excited by a diode laser and directly coupled to an integrated photonic processor that routes the photons to different experiments performed directly on-chip: (i) the characterization of the single photon source and (ii) testing a fundamental postulate of quantum mechanics, namely the relation of the probability density and the wave function (known as Born’s rule). The described payload is currently being in tegrated into a 3U CubeSat and scheduled for launch in 2024 into low Earth orbit. We can therefore evaluate the feasibility of true single photon sources and reconfigurable photonic circuits in space. This provides a promising route toward a high-speed quantum network.enpaper