A team of European scientists is developing new space sensors that use quantum technologies to measure acceleration with great precision. This research marks a critical step towards future space missions that will track subtle changes in Earth’s gravity field. These advanced tools will offer a sharper view of our planet’s changes, providing more accurate data on glaciers, sea-level rises, and variations in groundwater levels with greater precision and urgency. Being able to measure tiny differences in gravity helps us reveal the presence of underground water, how much ice is melting in polar regions, or even find natural resources. The CARIOQA consortium is working to improve gravity mapping by exploiting the exquisite sensitivity of quantum accelerometers – generating a ‘higher resolution’ gravitational map of the Earth. To measure gravity from space, it is crucial to track a satellite’s accelerations accurately. This is done using so-called accelerometers that monitor a test mass in free fall onboard the satellite. By fitting a quantum accelerometer to a satellite, scientists will then study the movements of glaciers, sea-level rises, and changes in groundwater levels to tackle climate change like never before. €17 million EU-backed consortium hopes to launch the world’s first quantum accelerometer in orbit by 2030. An ambitious new project, launched by the European Commission and supported by the Quantum Flagship, is set to transform Earth monitoring by providing more accurate data on changes in ice melt, groundwater depletion, and ocean circulation. Called CARIOQA-PMP, the new €17 million project seeks to improve traditional gravity-sensing methods by incorporating the extraordinary capabilities of quantum sensors. Materials on the Earth, like rocks, minerals and water, have different densities from place to place. The Earth’s gravity field is affected by the mass of these materials. The more mass in an area, the stronger the gravitational pull in […]