Running with the pack: Saga safeguarding Europe

Wolves are primarily nocturnal creatures, able to perceive and navigate in low-light environments. In a similar way, the mission relies on extremely weak optical signals; namely quantum bits transmitted through laser links.

Quantum bits are the fundamental units of quantum information. Unlike classical computer bits, which can only exist as 0 or 1, quantum bits can exist in multiple states simultaneously. In QKD, these quantum bits are usually encoded onto photons, allowing encryption keys to be exchanged securely.

The wolf also carries deep European symbolism. “The wolf is an animal that I personally like, and he is widespread throughout Central Italy – where I come from. He's also a very intelligent, logical and organized animal,” highlighted Riccardo Duca, Saga’s end-to-end Performance Lead. Rome’s foundational myth is inseparable from the wolf, and Rome itself can be seen as one of Europe’s foundational cities. Coincidentally, Saga’s prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space, is headquartered there as well, reinforcing the wolf’s place within the mission’s identity.