EnsoLab, a Swiss company specializing in advanced security technologies, has announced the launch of SkyBridge, an initiative aimed at testing cutting-edge secure communications technology in space. SkyBridge is set to launch on March 30 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.
Testing in Low Earth Orbit
The mission will be conducted in Low Earth Orbit, which has an orbital period of 128 minutes or less, as part of EnsoLab's efforts to transition its innovations from laboratory experiments to practical applications.
SkyBridge is tasked with evaluating EnsoLab's secure communications system and its reliability in a space environment. This includes assessing new cryptographic encryption methodologies designed to remain secure even as advancements like quantum computing become more prevalent.
Post-Quantum Security Measures
This evaluation will also explore how these security techniques can adapt over time
This evaluation will also explore how these security techniques can adapt over time and maintain reliable performance using commercial hardware in real operational conditions.
EnsoLab Tech AG founder Masood Shaikh Mohammed describes space as "One of the most demanding environments a hardware system can face.” Oliver Michael Meyer, Principal Advisor to EnsoLab, highlighted, "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."
Implications for Critical Infrastructure
The mission aims to determine how this security architecture performs in a dynamic setting and assesses its capability to support future applications, such as secure satellite-to-ground communications.
Organizations reliant on secure and robust communications—spanning defense, government, satellite operations, and critical infrastructure—are exploring shifts to post-quantum security and need insight into how these new strategies function practically.
Utilization of Advanced Computing Systems
"This mission uses advanced computing systems to make communication in space more secure," stated Prof. Andrea Guerrieri, Head of the Adaptive Heterogeneous Systems Lab at HES-SO and the 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."
Pathway to Commercial Endeavors
SkyBridge serves as a validation mission. Following its launch, it will enter an initial operations phase lasting about two to three weeks, with early data emerging soon after and broader results anticipated over time.
The mission is supported by collaborators including SpaceX, DPhi Space, and Momentus, and is linked to research with HES-SO Valais-Wallis School of Engineering in Switzerland. Post-mission, EnsoLab plans to leverage the outcomes for further development, partnerships, and early commercial endeavors.
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 program is relevant for organizations that rely on secure and resilient communications, including defense, 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.
