Honeywell Aerospace Quantum Magnetometer Targets Earth’s Field by 2027

By 2027, Honeywell Aerospace intends to deliver a compact quantum space magnetometer to the European Space Agency, a swift development timeline for space-based technology. Leading the project is an engineering team based in Brno, Czech Republic. The system will utilize NV-diamond technology from Quantum Brilliance, enabling high-performance magnetic field measurements from orbit for applications ranging from Earth science to space domain awareness, with international partnerships extending into North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific. Jan Lukáš, quantum sensing technical lead at Honeywell Aerospace, said the consortium aims to provide a smaller, lower-power payload for detailed observations of Earth’s magnetic field.

The project unites expertise from Honeywell Aerospace, Quantum Brilliance, and Jagiellonian University in Kraków, with Honeywell’s engineering team based in Brno, Czech Republic, serving as the consortium lead. Central to the magnetometer’s design is Quantum Brilliance’s NV-diamond technology, a solid-state quantum sensing approach leveraging the unique properties of diamonds for precise magnetic field measurements. This technology enables compact, full-vector magnetic field measurements suitable for advancing Earth science, geophysics, and space domain awareness while adhering to stringent satellite size, weight, and power constraints. The system’s ability to operate at room temperature and maintain stable performance across varying magnetic fields is particularly advantageous for long-duration space missions. John Liobe, Technical Director of European Quantum Sensing Programs at Quantum Brilliance, stated that their collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace and Quantum Brilliance is an important step toward demonstrating a low-SWaP quantum sensor, suggesting a pathway toward scalable manufacturing for future satellite constellations dedicated to Earth observation and space situational awareness. Quantum Brilliance has operations in Germany and Australia, with its international partnerships extending into North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific.

Quantum Brilliance’s NV-Diamond Technology for Vector Sensing

The pursuit of increasingly precise magnetic field measurements in space is driving innovation in quantum sensing technologies, with solid-state approaches gaining prominence. Honeywell Aerospace’s collaboration with Quantum Brilliance signifies a move toward utilizing nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond technology for space-based magnetometry, a departure from traditional methods reliant on larger, more power-intensive systems. Quantum Brilliance’s contribution centers on a diamond-based sensor capable of compact, solid-state vector magnetic field measurement across a wide dynamic range; its crystal structure facilitates direct 3D magnetic field reconstruction from a single element, streamlining system complexity and reducing alignment demands. These NV sensors operate at room temperature, maintaining stable performance even amidst fluctuating magnetic fields, a critical attribute for the harsh conditions encountered in space. This capability addresses the stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints imposed on satellite payloads, potentially enabling higher resolution geomagnetic mapping and extending the longevity of long-duration missions.

The technology’s potential extends beyond basic research, promising benefits for Earth science, geophysics, and enhanced space domain awareness. Quantum Brilliance, with operations in Germany and Australia, has international partnerships extending into North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific, and is focused on the scalable manufacturing needed to support future satellite constellations utilizing this technology, which could broaden the deployment of quantum sensing capabilities in space.

Jagiellonian University in Kraków is leveraging over six centuries of academic tradition to propel advancements in quantum sensing technology, joining Honeywell Aerospace and Quantum Brilliance in a collaborative effort with the European Space Agency. The Polish university’s Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science contributes crucial research capabilities to the development of a compact quantum space magnetometer slated for delivery by 2027. Researchers publish around 500 articles annually in high-impact scientific journals, demonstrating a robust commitment to physical sciences research and international partnerships. This consortium aims to deliver a system capable of high-performance magnetic field measurements from orbit, addressing the ESA’s objectives for Earth observation and space science. The Jagiellonian University’s involvement is significant given its leadership in national and international research projects funded by organizations including the European Union and NATO; its extensive experience in advanced physics complements Quantum Brilliance’s NV-diamond technology and Honeywell Aerospace’s engineering expertise. Each year, the Faculty leads dozens of research projects, indicating a sustained investment in cutting-edge scientific exploration and a dedication to contributing to global technological progress.