An international team of scientists led by Philip Walther from the University of Vienna in Austria built a photonic quantum computer that can survive the harsh environmental conditions of a space mission. For the first time, a quantum processor was integrated into a satellite, that is now orbiting the earth at approximately 550km. This mission will offer insights into the potentialities of quantum technologies to support tasks and improve current technology for space missions. The rocket launch succeeded on Monday, June 23, from Vandenberg California. Communication with the satellite will be established in the next two weeks, and experiments will start.
"I am very proud that the first quantum computer which is now in space was developed by researchers in Austria. We pushed the limits of current photonic technologies to offer a versatile tool to perform quantum experiments in the extreme conditions of a space mission. We look forward to the innovations and applications that will emerge from the system.", says project lead Philip Walther from the University of Vienna.
Quantum computers are rapidly becoming a key technology that promises powerful applications in areas such as logistics, finance, medicine, and artificial intelligence due to their ability to solve specific problems that even the world's most powerful supercomputers cannot solve. Yet, like the first computers in the 1950's they are usually run in highly controlled environments, such as large research labs equipped with cryogenic systems, clean rooms, or vibration absorption. Moreover, regular checks, adjustments and calibrations need to be performed by specialists. All this is not possible in space where resources are limited, and environmental conditions are uncontrollable.
"Our device needed to fit the size of a shoe box, be very energy efficient and resist thermal and mechanical shocks", says Iris Agresti, a PostDoc researcher of the group. "Furthermore, we needed to develop a control software that would run it autonomously and prevent possible failures."
"For this reason, we had to adapt elements that are commonly used in photonic laboratories, such as single photon sources, detectors and fibers, to make them robust, small and remote-controllable." adds Tobias Guggemos another PostDoc in the group. "Additionally, we had to comply with numerous safety regulations for space missions." For making this mission a success the Austrian team collaborated with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the National Research Council (CNR) in Milano, the Austrian Academy of Science and with the Viennese start-up Qubo Technology.
The quantum computer is connected to an onboard camera provided by DLR to investigate potential usage of the setup for earth observation. The components underwent several tests to simulate vibrations and shocks for typical rocket launches. They also needed to be baked in a thermal vacuum oven to release trapped gas to prevent explosions.
The required expertise was gathered and developed as a joint undertaking with a research team of CNR Milano who developed the photonic chip which will perform quantum computational tasks. Additionally, three institutes of the German Aerospace Center in Berlin, Munich and Trauen supported with their knowledge on space missions and provided their vacuum chambers and facilities for the final assembly of the satellite in their cleanrooms.
"This collaboration puts Europe at the forefront of quantum computation for space missions. This could give rise to the next generation of energy efficient satellites.", concludes Philip Walther.
