PASQUALE project kicks off to explore the use of quantum IMUs for navigation

The PASQUALE (Precise and Stable Navigation with Quantum Accelerometer) project, led by GMV, has officially started under the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP). The project aims to advance next-generation Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies by integrating quantum inertial sensing with conventional navigation systems.

With the increasing reliance on satellite navigation in numerous critical applications, it is becoming increasingly important to ensure robust and reliable positioning capabilities in environments where GNSS signals are degraded, disrupted, or unavailable. PASQUALE addresses this challenge by exploring the integration of quantum inertial technology into traditional navigation systems with the aim of improving accuracy, stability, and resilience.

At the heart of the project is the development of a navigation system combining conventional inertial sensors, GNSS technologies and a quantum IMU based on cold-atom interferometry. This innovative approach seeks to overcome some of the limitations of current inertial navigation systems by reducing long-term drift and enhancing navigation performance during GNSS outages or interference events.

Over the course of the 24-month project, GMV and the project partners will carry out the design, prototyping, integration and validation of the quantum sensor within a complete navigation solution. The work programme also encompasses modelling and simulation activities, system integration tasks and maritime field trials aimed at assessing the performance of the PASQUALE navigation system under representative operational conditions.

By increasing the technology readiness level of quantum-enhanced navigation solutions, PASQUALE is expected to contribute to the development of highly resilient PNT systems capable of supporting future applications in areas such as autonomous mobility, robotics, critical infrastructure protection, defence and security, and other sectors where reliable navigation is essential.

PASQUALE is one of the projects awarded to GMV under NAVISP Element 1 (Innovation), which supports the development of disruptive navigation technologies with the potential to shape future PNT systems. The launch of PASQUALE further strengthens GMV’s role in ESA’s NAVISP programme, where the company currently leads or participates in nine projects spanning navigation innovation, competitiveness and national PNT strategies.