Equal1, a quantum computing company specializing in silicon spin qubits, has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to install its Bell-1 Hybrid Quantum Computing (HQC) System at ESA’s Φ-lab. This partnership, part of the Quantum Computing for Earth Observation (QC4EO) initiative, is a step toward integrating quantum processors into ESA’s High Performance Compute (HPC) infrastructure.
The Bell-1 Quantum Computer, a 6-qubit system, is a rack-mounted device with an integrated closed-cycle cryocooler, which makes it suitable for deployment within ESA’s existing infrastructure. Equal1’s technology uses silicon spin qubits fabricated in CMOS technology. This integration will enable ESA scientists to explore quantum algorithms for applications such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) raw data processing and mission planning for satellite constellations.
The partnership is intended to leverage the unique capabilities of quantum systems to accelerate the processing of complex Earth Observation (EO) data structures, which are vital for climate modeling, weather forecasting, and disaster monitoring. Equal1’s design emphasizes upgradeability, ensuring that future Bell quantum servers can be seamlessly integrated.
Simonetta Cheli, Director of ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes and Head of ESRIN, noted that the complexities of EO data require unprecedented processing power, and the collaboration could pave the way for hosting the first quantum computer at ESA. Jason Lynch, CEO of Equal1, commented that the Bell-1 system is designed for seamless integration into existing HPC environments to augment ESA’s capabilities.
Read the full announcement in the Equal1 press release here and the University College Dublin (UCD) news report here.
November 10, 2025
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