Monarch Quantum to deliver photonics engines for NASA

First space deployment of a quantum gravity gradiometer will use Monarch Quantum's integrated photonics engines, supporting Infleqtion's NASA JPL mission.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Monarch Quantum, a U.S.-based quantum photonics company, has been selected to deliver its Quantum Light Engines™ for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder (QGGPf) mission. This represents the first planned space deployment of a quantum gravity gradiometer, a neutral-atom quantum sensor designed to measure minute variations in Earth's gravitational field from orbit.

Why it matters

Space-based quantum gravity sensing enables ultra-precise Earth observation, subsurface mapping, climate monitoring, and next-generation inertial navigation systems that operate without GPS. Monarch Quantum's integrated photonics solutions help address the size, weight, power, and environmental sensitivity constraints that have historically made laboratory-grade photonics assemblies unsuitable for space deployment.

The details

Monarch Quantum will supply its integrated photonics Quantum Light Engines™ directly in support of Infleqtion, a publicly traded quantum technology company and global leader in neutral-atom quantum sensing and quantum computing. Infleqtion will integrate Monarch Quantum's laser-optical subsystems into the quantum core of the gravity sensor. Monarch Quantum's Quantum Light Engines™ consolidate complex laser-optical architectures into compact, space-qualified photonics engines, reducing integration risk and accelerating mission readiness.

  • Monarch Quantum and Infleqtion plan to complete the instrument hardware development over the next three years, followed by flight demonstration.

The players

Monarch Quantum, Inc.

A U.S.-based quantum photonics company specializing in integrated photonics systems for quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications.

Infleqtion

A publicly traded quantum technology company and global leader in neutral-atom quantum sensing and quantum computing.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

NASA's research and development center that conducts robotic space and Earth science missions.

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What they’re saying

“We are honored to support this historic mission and to serve our teammates in advancing space-based quantum sensing. The QGGPf mission represents a major milestone in U.S. leadership in quantum gravity sensing and precision measurement from orbit. We are proud to collaborate with NASA JPL here in Southern California, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Infleqtion, and our industry partners to help enable the first planned space deployment of a quantum gravity gradiometer.”

— Dr. Timothy Day, Chairman and CEO of Monarch Quantum

What’s next

NASA JPL and Infleqtion plan to complete the instrument hardware development over the next three years, followed by flight demonstration.

The takeaway

Monarch Quantum's integrated photonics solutions are enabling the first planned space deployment of a quantum gravity gradiometer, a significant milestone in advancing space-based quantum sensing capabilities that can support ultra-precise Earth observation, subsurface mapping, climate monitoring, and next-generation inertial navigation.