On-board QKD operations description of the Flight Segment of the In-orbit demonstrator for the Q-ANSER mission developed by INTA

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The Q-ANSER mission utilizes a formation-flying CubeSat architecture to demonstrate space-to-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) using a simplified BB84 protocol. This approach effectively minimizes detector requirements, which is vital for the resource constraints of small satellite platforms. The system relies on precise Pointing, Alignment, and Tracking (PAT) to maintain communication links between the two satellite segments.