The realization of quantum computing and technologies calls for breakthrough innovations both ideological and pragmatic. The areas of science contributing include but are not limited to Quantum Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science, Engineering and Chemistry.
The development of quantum technologies requires a multidisciplinary approach, and then interdisciplinary collaboration. Every day there is new research and the field is rapidly evolving. Ultimately, this accelerated progress could benefit from some form of standardization and systems thinking to unite the work of numerous groups.
It’s exciting to enumerate all the possible quantum advancements, from computing power and simulation, to cybersecurity. Quantum is certainly positioned as the next wave in tech, affecting many sectors.
One of those sectors is most assuredly aerospace, and the new frontier of space technology and exploration. Successfully implemented, Quantum Communications would provide a significant advantage for sending large amounts of information rapidly and securely over vast distances, as well as for the optimization and then execution of complex missions with lots of moving parts or devices.
As of now, IBM seems to be leading the charge in general purpose practical incorporation of quantum computing. The “Condor” with more than 1,000 qubits is set to debut some time this year, with further increase on the horizon. Specialized to optimization, D-Wave Systems’ “The Advantage” has already exceeded 5,000 qubits.
IBM uses physical metallic superconducting qubits patterned on silicon and likewise; D-Wave also uses superconducting in conjunction with quantum annealing, or using quantum physics to find the energetic ground state, or solution to a problem.
Speaking of problems to overcome, the greatest challenge for quantum computing in general – not just for aerospace – is Decoherence, or loss of the quantum entangled state. Quantum noise, or energy fluctuations that are inherent to the materials, is also an issue.
One more “natural” form of the qubit is the ion qubit, an ion being an electrically charged atom, and most notably in production by the company IonQ. This system is also sensitive to environmental fluctuations though, needing a vacuum.
It should be noted that these challenges may be overcome by emulating natural quantum systems, such as photosynthesis for one example, which maintains coherence and even constructively uses noise to assist energy transfer. Even our most advanced concepts circle back to nature, to journey out into the cosmos. Bio-influenced computing is definitely a branch of the field to watch.
For the aforementioned environmentally sensitive technologies, the vacuum of space may be just the place for them to operate. And quantum devices such as satellites in space could further enable the technologies on earth.
That said though, there is quantum noise in space, or electromagnetic frequencies — not to be confused with sound naturally audible by us, but less of it in research conditions.
As an aside, the background noise and frequencies of space are actually important, in determining location and cosmic events for example, and so could probably – once again – be somehow utilized constructively via natural systems.
The next step for the joining of quantum and aerospace, is putting the technologies to the test in that environment. Here in the States, NASA Quantum Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (QuAIL) for one has been tasked with this, in collaboration with Google, Rigetti and D-Wave.
A couple of specific projects include Space Entanglement and Annealing QUantum Experiment (or SEAQUE) testing quantum communications equipment resiliency and the sensitive Performance-Enhanced Array for Counting Optical Quanta (PEACOQ) detector, to enable a quantum network over long distances. And it does incidentally, look like a peacock fan! There is also quantum research happening aboard the ISS, with a multitude of potential avenues.
The conclusions here are that “there’s more than one way to make a qubit” and that aerospace is an ideal sector for quantum computing both as it exists at large right now both and in potentiality, in enhancing spacecraft function and also designing successful complex missions.