• IonQ is acquiring Capella Space in an all-stock deal valued at $311 million to build a space-based quantum communications network.
• The acquisition combines IonQ's quantum computing with Capella's SAR satellite technology and secure facilities, enabling ultra-secure data transmission.
• IonQ also acquired Lightsynq Technologies for quantum repeaters to extend the range of quantum communications, along with Intellian Technologies for satellite communication infrastructure.

IonQ, a quantum computing firm, announced the acquisition of Capella Space, a company operating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, for $311 million. This acquisition aims to leverage Capella's existing technology and infrastructure to create a space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) network. This network promises unhackable communications for government and commercial applications, addressing the growing need for secure data transmission. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

• What: IonQ is acquiring Capella Space to develop a space-based quantum key distribution network for ultra-secure communications.
• Who: Key players include IonQ, Capella Space, Lightsynq Technologies, Intellian Technologies, Niccolo de Masi (IonQ CEO), Frank Backes (Capella CEO), Peter Chapman (IonQ executive chairman), and Matt Ocko (DCVC partner).
• When: The acquisition was announced on May 7, 2025, and is expected to close in the second half of 2025.
• Where: IonQ is based in Maryland, Capella Space in Colorado, and Lightsynq Technologies in Boston. The quantum network will be space-based, with satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite communications.

The acquisition of Capella Space by IonQ signifies a strategic move to combine quantum computing and space technology. By integrating Capella's SAR satellite capabilities and secure facilities with IonQ's quantum computing expertise, the company aims to establish a quantum-secure communication network. The addition of Lightsynq's quantum repeaters addresses the limitations of short-range quantum communication. This move potentially opens doors for IonQ into defense and intelligence sectors, where secure communication is paramount. However, the success depends on overcoming technical challenges related to space-based quantum hardware and regulatory approvals.

We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet. By leveraging long-distance quantum repeaters from Lightsynq combined with Capella’s top-secret signals capabilities, IonQ expects to build global quantum-secure networks.

Capella has an application today which is revenue generating. Not only will this give us access to an environment to get the hardware to work in space, but it also gives us our first application and first customers to actually validate this in a real world application.

If you want to make sure that you can deliver the benefit of secure, quantum-enabled comms, you need to be in space.

Quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize space-based operations by enabling ultra-secure communications that transmit data to and from platforms with unmatched security.

IonQ's acquisition of Capella Space marks a significant step towards realizing a space-based quantum communication network. By integrating quantum computing with satellite technology, the combined entity aims to provide ultra-secure communication solutions for commercial and government applications. The success of this venture hinges on technological advancements, regulatory approvals, and the ability to address the challenges of operating quantum hardware in space. The deal positions IonQ as a key player in the emerging quantum internet landscape, but the realization of this vision remains a long-term endeavor.