Infleqtion and NASA JPL to Launch World’s First Space-Based Quantum Gravity Sensor - Quantum Computing Report
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Infleqtion and NASA JPL to Launch World’s First Space-Based Quantum Gravity Sensor Infleqtion, in partnership with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has announced its collaboration on the Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) mission. Supported by over $20 million in contracted funding, the mission aims to deploy the first standalone quantum gravity sensor in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to map Earth’s gravitational field with unprecedented sensitivity. The project builds on the “quantum heritage” established by the Cold Atom Lab (CAL) aboard the International Space Station and NASA’s GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) series. As a technology pathfinder, this mission is designed to monitor mass dynamics—such as shifting groundwater, ice melt, and crustal movement—while validating hardware for future science-grade quantum instruments. The technical core of the QGGPf instrument utilizes atom interferometry based on ultracold rubidium atoms cooled to near absolute zero. Infleqtion is responsible for the design, maturation, and integration of the “quantum core,” encompassing the vacuum, laser, and control subsystems. By operating in the microgravity environment of space, the sensor can achieve significantly longer “interrogation times” than terrestrial alternatives, which directly translates to higher measurement precision. The system functions by splitting a cloud of laser-cooled atoms into two samples, allowing them to act as “quantum proof-masses.” Their differential acceleration is then measured through quantum wave interference, potentially offering a tenfold increase in sensitivity over classical mechanical gravity gradiometers. The QGGPf mission is slated for a 2030 launch and includes contributions from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Texas at Austin, and industry partners including Monarch Quantum and Vector Atomic. This milestone coincides with Infleqtion’s final preparations for its public listing via a merger with Churchill Capital Corp X (NASDAQ: CCCX). A shareholder vote is scheduled for February 12, 2026, with the combined company expected to trade on the NYSE under the ticker INFQ. The mission signifies a strategic shift toward operationalizing quantum space sensing for long-term climate monitoring, resource management, and national security applications. Read the official announcement from Infleqtion here and refer to our previous coverage on NASA’s gradiometer preparations here. Also you can learn more about NASA’s Quantum Space Innovation Center here. February 11, 2026 Mohamed Abdel-Kareem2026-02-10T14:53:54-08:00 Leave A Comment Cancel replyComment Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.