CARIOQA Phase B Launches: Europe Strengthens Leadership in Quantum Sensing from Space

The CARIOQA project, the European Quantum Pathfinder Mission, has officially entered Phase B, marking a significant milestone towards the deployment of quantum sensors in space. Leading quantum technology, geodesy, and space science institutions from across the EU gathered at the French Space Agency (CNES) to launch this new phase, with a shared goal: bringing quantum accelerometry to orbit.

Following the successful completion of Phase A — which validated the mission architecture and feasibility of key technologies — CARIOQA Phase B will advance the system design and prepare the quantum payload and platform technologies for space readiness. Over the next two years, the consortium will work towards achieving Technology Readiness Level 6 for all critical components, confirming their suitability for integration into future space missions.

A Strategic Contribution from GMV

As in Phase A, GMV plays a pivotal role in CARIOQA Phase B as Mission Analysis leader, leveraging its extensive experience in orbital mechanics and systems engineering. GMV is responsible for defining the satellite’s orbital configuration and characterizing mission phases in terms of propulsion needs, radiation and illumination conditions, ground segment visibility, and operations timeline. This contribution is essential to ensure the operational viability of the mission and the integration of payload and platform technologies.

GMV’s involvement also guarantees the robustness of the mission scenario, enabling precise assessments that support the work of other partners and contribute decisively to the overall success of the CARIOQA mission. By securing this role, GMV consolidates its leadership in quantum-enabled space missions and reinforces its position as a strategic European actor in high-performance satellite engineering.

From Ground to Orbit: Pioneering Quantum Sensing

The CARIOQA consortium — which includes CNES, DLR, Thales Alenia Space, Exail, LEONARDO, GMV, GAC, FORTH/PRAXI and leading research institutions — is developing Europe’s first Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission. It builds on Europe’s proven excellence in ground-based and airborne quantum gravimetry, which includes successful deployments of cold atom interferometers on ships and aircraft, as well as in microgravity environments such as drop towers and parabolic flights.

The project’s scientific achievements already include the creation of the first Bose–Einstein Condensate (BEC) in space, by Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Meanwhile, Exail, also part of the consortium, stands as the only industrial firm to have developed a commercial quantum gravimeter. This technology is now being adapted for space, marking a decisive step in Europe’s strategy to lead the next generation of space instrumentation.

Funded by the Horizon Europe Programme, CARIOQA is designed to demonstrate quantum sensing capabilities in orbit. The mission will pave the way for space-based gravity mapping, enabling more accurate monitoring of Earth’s water cycle, seismic activity, and climate dynamics. Future missions could leverage this technology to improve resource management and strengthen disaster prevention capabilities.

Longer term, the project also opens new avenues for fundamental physics, including the testing of the weak equivalence principle, positioning Europe at the forefront of scientific exploration in quantum space applications.