Quantum Communication Takes Off: Distributing entanglement from moving platforms

We have now seen a growing number of quantum communication demonstrations in deployed optical fibers, setting the stage for an eventual wired quantum network. However, there are numerous applications where free-space links are either preferable (far less loss) or essential (no fiber links available). Moreover, for some of these, such as distributed quantum sensing, it will be necessary to have mobile reconfigurable nodes.  Finally, there are applications that require nodes in space, both as links between widely separated ground networks, and to facilitate quantum experiments in previously unreachable regimes, e.g., where relativistic effects have a measurable effect. Here I will overview some of these and some current efforts to establish entanglement sources on moving platforms, including drones and satellites.