NASA is developing a space-based quantum sensor that can measure gravity with unprecedented sensitivity. The mission, supported by the Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), will be the first of its kind and pave the way for groundbreaking observations of our planet’s subsurface features.
The Earth’s gravitational field is dynamic, changing each day due to geological processes. Scientists can map these subtle changes using sensitive tools called gravity gradiometers, which are essential for navigation, resource management, and national security. However, traditional sensors have limitations in terms of accuracy and sensitivity.
A new quantum sensor, known as the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf), will use ultra-cold rubidium atoms as test masses. These particles behave like waves at extremely low temperatures, allowing for precise measurements of gravitational strength. The QGGPf instrument will be compact and lightweight, making it ideal for space-based applications.
The quantum sensor has the potential to increase sensitivity by up to 10 times compared to classical sensors. This technology development project involves significant collaborations between NASA and small businesses, including AOSense and Infleqtion, to advance the sensor head technology, and Vector Atomic to develop the laser optical system.
The QGGPf instrument will be tested in a space mission scheduled for launch near the end of the decade. The mission will validate novel technologies for manipulating interactions between light and matter at the atomic scale. The innovations achieved during this project could enhance our understanding of Earth’s subsurface features, as well as distant planets and the role gravity plays in shaping the cosmos.
Source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-aims-to-fly-first-quantum-sensor-for-gravity-measurements