Post by Thales Alenia Space

🌍 CARIOQA: quantum innovation for future space Earth observation missions We were pleased to welcome a 30-person delegation of European industrial and scientific partners to Thales Alenia Space’s facilities in Cannes for the CARIOQA productive workshop! The CARIOQA mission is being developed with a strong contribution from the European Commission through its Horizon Europe programme, with CNES as consortium leader. The CARIOQA mission aims to develop and launch the first #quantum cold-atom accelerometer into orbit by 2030, marking a breakthrough in Earth observation technology and environmental monitoring. This leap forward is comparable to the revolutionary impact of satellite altimetry 30 years ago, opening new horizons for science and sustainable environmental management. The delegation will work on key milestones required for the preliminary design of the quantum cold-atom accelerometer instrument, led under Thales Alenia Space’s responsibility. Building on advanced atomic sensor technology already used on Earth to measure gravity and track underground water or volcanic activity, CARIOQA will enable unprecedented precision in satellite Earth observation. This will lead to improved gravity mapping, enhanced atmospheric modeling, and better monitoring of oceans, glaciers, and the global water cycle. These advancements will significantly enhance our understanding of Earth’s internal structure, improve natural resource management, aid disaster prevention, and deepen our knowledge of climate change. CNES CNRS European Commission ZARM German Aerospace Center (DLR) Leonardo Exail Thales Bertrand Denis YVAN BAILLION Thierry Jeannet Vincent Dubois