Researchers from Jagiellonian University in Kraków are working alongside Honeywell Aerospace and Quantum Brilliance to design, test and deliver a compact quantum magnetometer for ESA.

The instrument is designed to produce highly accurate measurements of Earth's magnetic field while meeting the strict size, weight and power constraints of modern satellites. Scientists say it could generate higher-resolution geomagnetic maps, improve the resilience of space instruments to radiation and enable smaller, more energy-efficient satellite payloads.

The technology is expected to support Earth observation, geophysics and Space Domain Awareness by providing a more detailed picture of Earth's magnetic environment.

The Jagiellonian team contributes expertise in two key areas. Prof. Adam Wojciechowski's group specialises in quantum sensors based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defects in diamond, a technology regarded as one of the most promising platforms for next-generation quantum sensing. Meanwhile, Prof. Szymon Pustelny's team develops ultra-sensitive magnetometry techniques that are essential for achieving the instrument's accuracy and long-term stability.

Prototype testing will be carried out using the university's specialist research infrastructure, including a magnetically shielded laboratory and ultra-precise optical magnetometers, allowing researchers to validate the sensor's performance under tightly controlled conditions before it is delivered to ESA.

By combining solid-state quantum sensing with space-qualified engineering, the consortium aims to develop a compact instrument capable of accurately measuring the full magnetic field vector from orbit.

The project forms part of ESA's efforts to equip future missions with smaller, lighter and more capable scientific instruments, giving researchers a clearer understanding of Earth's magnetic field while expanding the capabilities of next-generation satellites. (PAP)

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