ESA takes steps toward quantum communications   ESA's Optical Ground Station (OGS)is located at the Observatorio del Teide on Tenerife, and is situated at an altitude of 2393 metres.   Characterisation of atmospheric effects for the inter-island experiment over 144 kilometres. A laser beam is transmitted from La Palma (in the horizon) towards the ESA's Optical Ground Station (OGS) in Tenerife (part of the dome is visible on the left). The OGS is equipped with a 1 metre telescope and was used as a quantum communication receiver in the inter-island quantum communication experiments. The OGS is also suitable as a quantum communication receiver from a source on a spacecraft.   Single photon transmitter optics module (Alice) in La Palma aligned towards Tenerife (visible in the upper right corner). The quantum source is located inside a portacabin (not shown here) and is connected to the transmitter optics module via standard optical fibre. Release date: 20 January 2009