Q-CTRL secures funding to expand its remote sensing tech for space
Australia’s first venture-capital-backed quantum technology company, Q-CTRL has been awarded $4.5m by the federal government to expand the manufacture of novel remote sensing payloads for space deployment.
The Morrison Government is supporting Australian space manufacturers to grow and seize opportunities to expand into global supply chains through the $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).
Professor Michael Biercuk, University of Sydney quantum physicist and Q-CTRL CEO.
Q-CTRL was created in 2017 by Professor Michael Biercuk, Director of the School of Physics’ Quantum Control Laboratory, based in the Sydney Nanoscience Hub.
The company provides solutions for the quantum technology industry to improve the stability of quantum hardware. Its ability to characterise and control quantum errors in quantum computers has led to the development of unique sensing technology at the quantum scale with up to 500X improvements in performance in real environments.
This technology will allow the company to play an important role in Australia’s growing space industry by producing remote sensing payloads in space deployments.
“This Modern Manufacturing Initiative project is a great example of how the team at Q-CTRL is translating decades of science into a valuable business, focused on building the most advanced remote sensing technology in the world,” said Professor Michael Biercuk, University of Sydney quantum physicist and Q-CTRL CEO.
“We’re excited to begin building a new type of quantum-enhanced sensor for magnetic fields compatible with operation in space.
“This will give us a new set of eyes on the Earth to directly improve mining productivity and give defence a totally new tool for gathering geospatial intelligence."