Quantum Computing for Earth Observation Study (QC4EO)

On 15 March 2023, the project QC4EO study was launched with the participation of the ESA Technical Officer as the representative of the European Space Agency, which is funding this study. The project consortium is led by Forschungszentrum Jülich, a joint effort of Jülich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) and the Institute for Quantum Computing Analytics (PGI-12), and it includes Thales Alenia Space (France and Italy), the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), and IQM Quantum Computers.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether quantum computing (QC) can provide a quantum advantage to Earth observation (EO) applications within a medium to long timeframe, i.e. between the next 3–5 to 15 years. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions: How can QC enhance EO applications, and what software and hardware developments are required to achieve this quantum advantage? The study is scheduled to last 5 months and will involve multiple activities that will be carried out by its multidisciplinary consortium, comprising partners with different competencies, each a leader in their respective areas. In this way, a broad view will be obtained, ranging from state-of-the-art quantum technologies (with related bottlenecks) and commercial needs to pure research and the development of innovative solutions with the potential to be breakthroughs in EO and beyond.

Contact: Prof. Gabriele Cavallaro

from JSC News No. 295, 24 March 2023