EnsoLab, a company based in Switzerland specialising in advanced security technologies, has announced the upcoming launch of SkyBridge.
This mission aims to test cutting-edge secure communications technology in space. Scheduled for launch on 30 March at 10:20 UTC (03:20 PDT / 12:20 CEST), SkyBridge will commence its journey from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-16 mission.
Testing in real-world conditions
Operating in Low Earth Orbit, the SkyBridge mission is a critical step for EnsoLab to transition its technology from laboratory settings into practical, real-world environments.
The mission will evaluate the reliability of EnsoLab's secure communications systems in space, focusing on new cryptographic encryption methods. These methods are designed to withstand future technological advances such as quantum computing.
Advancing post-quantum security
The SkyBridge mission also aims to assess how these security methods adapt over time
The SkyBridge mission also aims to assess how these security methods adapt over time, maintaining their reliability on commercial hardware under challenging operational conditions. EnsoLab Tech AG's founder, Masood Shaikh Mohammed, emphasised the harsh environment that these systems must endure, calling it "one of the most demanding environments a hardware system can face.”
Oliver Michael Meyer, Principal Advisor to EnsoLab, noted the importance of real-world testing in building trust in these systems, highlighting that EnsoLab's meticulous approach is grounded in long-term research and practical evaluation.
Applications for critical infrastructure
The mission seeks to understand the performance of this security architecture in a live setting and its potential for future applications, such as secure communications between satellites and ground stations.
The programme holds particular importance for organisations dependent on secure communications, including sectors like defence, government, satellite operations, and critical infrastructure. These sectors are preparing for the transition to post-quantum security, and practical insights into new security approaches are essential.
Innovative computing systems
SkyBridge will undergo an initial operations phase lasting two to three weeks after launch
Prof. Andrea Guerrieri, from the Adaptive Heterogeneous Systems Lab at HES-SO, and a technical lead within EnsoLab, shared insights into the technology's capabilities: “This mission uses advanced computing systems to make communication in space more secure."
He explained that the SkyBridge technology introduces a new method for space systems to communicate safely and adapt to changes, even when current encryption techniques may become obsolete in the future.
Gearing for early commercial activity
As a validation mission, SkyBridge will undergo an initial operations phase lasting two to three weeks after launch. In this phase, preliminary data will be collected, followed by more comprehensive results over time.
Collaborating with partners like SpaceX, DPhi Space, and Momentus, the mission is linked to research conducted at HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering in Switzerland. The results from SkyBridge are anticipated to fuel further development, partnerships, and early commercial ventures.
EnsoLab, a Swiss company focused on advanced security technologies announces the launch of SkyBridge, a mission designed to test next-generation secure communications technology in space.
SkyBridge is scheduled to launch on 30 March at 10:20 UTC (03:20 PDT / 12:20 CEST) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-16 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
Real-world conditions
The mission will operate in Low Earth Orbit–an orbit around Earth with a period of 128 minutes or less–and is part of EnsoLab’s effort to move its technology out of the lab into real-world conditions.
SkyBridge will test EnsoLab’s secure communications and its reliability in space. This includes evaluating new forms of cryptographic encryption designed to remain secure in the future, even with advances like quantum computing.
Post-quantum security
It will also test how those methods adapt over time and continue to perform reliably on commercial hardware under real operational conditions in orbit, an environment EnsoLab Tech AG founder Masood Shaikh Mohammed describes as “One of the most demanding environments a hardware system can face.”
Oliver Michael Meyer, Principal Advisor to EnsoLab said "In security-critical environments, trust is built over time. It comes from being careful, being clear, and showing that systems work when they are put under real pressure. That is the approach EnsoLab has taken. Its work is based on long-term research and a focus on how whole systems behave, rather than quick fixes or single solutions. Crucially, it is being tested in real-world conditions, not just in theory. At a time when much of the conversation around post-quantum security remains abstract, that focus on real testing and measured progress gives a more concrete sense of what works, and what can be trusted.”
Critical infrastructure providers
The goal is to understand how this type of security architecture performs in a live environment, and whether it can support future applications such as secure satellite-to-ground communications.
The programme is relevant for organisations that rely on secure and resilient communications, including defence, government, satellite operators, and critical infrastructure providers. Many of these sectors are preparing for the shift to post-quantum security and need to understand how new approaches perform in practice.
Advanced computing systems
“This mission uses advanced computing systems to make communication in space more secure,” said Prof. Andrea Guerrieri, Head of the Adaptive Heterogeneous Systems Lab at HES-SO (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland) and technical lead within EnsoLab’s sovereign R&D core.
“The technology we have developed for SkyBridge creates a new way for space systems to communicate safely, adapt to changes, and perform, even in a future where current encryption methods may no longer be secure.”
Early commercial activity
SkyBridge is a validation mission. After launch, it will first go through an initial operations phase lasting around two to three weeks, with early data emerging first and broader results expected over time.
The mission is supported by partners including SpaceX, DPhi Space, and Momentus, and is connected to research work with HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering in Switzerland. Following the mission, EnsoLab plans to use the results to support further development, partnerships, and early commercial activity.
