Navigation with Quantum Sensors in Space (SpaceQNav)

Overview

At the moment, interest in space navigation is growing, for example to improve the orbit determination of existing systems such as Galileo, to use swarms of small satellites (LEO-PNT) or for lunar missions. Various space agencies such as NASA, ESA and JAXA as well as the private sector are driving these developments forward, which is why safe navigation procedures need to be established.

Concept

The physical concept of inertial sensors based on quantum principles allows for high sensitivity and outstanding long-term stability compared to conventional inertial measurement units. Even with conservative assumptions, a sensitivity per cycle limited by quantum projection noise of a few µg/sqrt(Hz) or nrad/s/sqrt(Hz) is possible. Using the Sagnac effect, quantum sensors can measure both acceleration and rotation rates with a single arrangement. Instead of mechanical systems in accelerometers or surfaces enclosed by a fibre gyroscope or ring resonator in laser gyroscopes, the scale factors in quantum sensors are linked to atomic transitions and can be traced back to frequency measurements.

Objective

The overall goal of the project is to estimate improvements in navigation performance when using quantum sensors for space applications. This includes the requirement's analysis for the design (single/multi-axis sensor technology) and the evaluation strategy as well as the evaluation of the performance gain and the identification of critical scenarios and limits of the sensor technology. The applications to be investigated in the project include navigation in Earth orbit, flight to the Moon, and inertial navigation with quantum sensors on the Moon surface.