SBQuantum, a pioneer in quantum diamond magnetometers, has announced new contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The ESA contract is a 6 month project to assess the viability of SBQuantum’s magnetometer technology in space, focusing on its reliability and accuracy for satellite deployment. This technology could be instrumental in monitoring Earth’s magnetic environment, including magnetic storms that disrupt navigation and communications.
The Canadian Space Agency’s STRATOS Program will test SBQuantum’s magnetometers at an altitude of 40km, subjecting them to extreme conditions such as low temperatures and radiation. The testing will also explore the potential for magnetic field-based positioning, offering a reliable alternative to traditional GPS, which is vulnerable to jamming and other disruptions. This project is expected to last a year with potential extensions for additional work in the future.
These new contracts build on SBQuantum’s success in the MagQuest Challenge, organized by the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and NASA. SBQuantum’s magnetometer is currently a finalist in this competition, where its performance in space is being evaluated for potential use in mapping Earth’s magnetic field.
With these advancements, SBQuantum’s technology could play a critical role in various space missions, including guiding rovers on other planets and mapping minerals on the moon, offering a cost-effective alternative to existing space technologies.
A press release announcing these contracts has been posted on the SBQuantum website here.
August 20, 2024