IonQ Completes Acquisition of Capella Space, Advancing Vision for Space-Based Quantum Communications (Form 8-K)

IonQ Completes Acquisition of Capella Space, Advancing Vision for Space-Based Quantum Communications

Integration of Capella's satellite capabilities positions IonQ to pioneer the first global space-based quantum key distribution network

COLLEGE PARK, MD - July 15, 2025 - IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Capella Space Corporation, an American space tech company with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications. The closing marks a significant step in IonQ's mission to develop the world's first space-to-space and space-to-ground satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) network, enabling quantum-secure global communications.

With the acquisition now finalized, IonQ will begin developing a space-based QKD network by integrating Capella's satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology. Once complete, this QKD network will enable secure communications that prevents encryption keys from being intercepted or copied without detection. It will also serve as a platform for additional quantum networking and sensing growth vectors. Capella customers will have access to rapid, ultra-secure SAR and remote sensing through the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform.

"We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global QKD will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications," said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. "The integration of Capella's advanced space-based platform and proven constellation of deployed satellites - along with IonQ's quantum technologies - is expected to bolster commercial applications, global defense, and intelligence missions."

"Capella has been a long-time pioneer in space technology and we can now take actionable steps to push the boundaries further by building the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform," said Frank Backes, CEO of Capella. "We're excited to be joining the IonQ team on this new journey."

This acquisition, along with the previously announced ID Quantique agreement, strengthens IonQ's position in advancing quantum networking technologies that are essential for building the quantum internet. This news builds on recent quantum networking contracts with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is a leading commercial quantum computing, quantum networking and quantum applications company, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's most complex problems. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking also positions the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

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