Under the first contract, SBQuantum will collaborate with ESA to assess the viability of its quantum diamond magnetometer technology in space. ESA's evaluation will focus on the reliability and precision of SBQuantum's sensors, exploring how these instruments can be integrated into satellite systems for various applications. The project aims to enhance the understanding of Earth's magnetic environment, with satellite-based magnetometers potentially playing a key role in monitoring magnetic storms that could affect navigation and communication systems on Earth.
Simultaneously, SBQuantum has been chosen by the CSA to test its magnetometer at a 40km altitude as part of the CSA's STRATOS Program. This high-altitude testing will evaluate the magnetometer's performance in extreme conditions, including temperatures as low as -60C (-76F) and low-pressure environments, while also exposing the device to radiation. Additionally, the project will demonstrate magnetic field-based positioning - a signal resistant to jamming - using a quantum diamond magnetometer, providing an alternative to traditional GPS systems that require substantial infrastructure.
"These contracts are further evidence of the tremendous potential of the quantum diamond magnetometers we are commercializing at SBQuantum. Years of investment, research and development are now beginning to pay off, as leading organizations in space exploration are acknowledging that our hardware has the potential to provide an important advantage over existing technologies.
"Furthermore, these sensors can be deployed for a range of applications, and therefore provide significant value to the user at a fraction of the cost of the legacy technologies currently in use. We'd like to thank both ESA and the CSA for their confidence in us, and we look forward to cultivating a long and fruitful relationship with both of these prestigious organizations," said David Roy-Guay, CEO and Cofounder of SBQuantum.
Aaron Strangfeld, Quantum Engineer at ESA, added, "The technology is promising, and we are optimistic that its advantages can be realized in space as well."
These new contracts add to SBQuantum's growing momentum, following its status as a finalist in the MagQuest Challenge - a competition organized by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, in partnership with the NASA Tournament Lab. As part of this challenge, SBQuantum's quantum magnetometer will be launched into space for testing, with the results determining its future use in mapping and monitoring Earth's magnetic field.
The contracts with ESA and CSA are set to be executed over the summer. Successfully confirming the durability and accuracy of SBQuantum's devices could open the door to further space-based applications, such as attitude control for spacecraft, guiding rovers on other planets, and mapping subsurface minerals on the Moon. These sensors, which can be easily mounted on small cube satellites, offer a cost-effective solution for acquiring detailed, precise data on Earth's magnetics and geophysics, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders involved in operations planning, logistics mapping, and other relevant applications.
Related Links
SBQuantum
STRATOS Program
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
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