France and Germany want to send the first quantum sensor into orbit to improve Earth observation

2024-02-12 10:00:00

A gain in precision equivalent to the transition from a mechanical watch to a quartz watch, or even from quartz to an atomic clock. It is an understatement to say that Cnes is preparing an immense technological leap. Its CARIOQA project, launched on January 16, aims to send an atomic accelerometer into orbit aboard a satellite at the end of the decade. “A world first”, would like to remind Félix Perosanz, head of the Solid Earth observation space programs. The experiment should ultimately contribute to improving the precision of gravity measurements and therefore the observation of melting ice, rains and droughts, movements of magma and tectonic plates, etc.

Led by the French organization, the project involves the German space agency (DLR) as well as the French and German branches of Airbus Defense and Space and public laboratories in the two countries. The company Exail, an expert in cold atom sensor technology, is also involved. “The space agencies are piloting and the industrialists are carrying out the work with the help of the laboratories. We rely on long-established French expertise in our scientific laboratoriespoints out the manager. One of the challenges of the mission is, in addition to technology, to preserve French industrial leadership in the field.