Press Release

Honeywell Aerospace (NASDAQ: HONA), Quantum Brilliance, and Jagiellonian University in Kraków today announced a cooperation to develop, test and deliver a compact quantum space magnetometer to the European Space Agency (ESA) by 2027 through an ESA-funded contract. The system will be developed within the consortium led by Honeywell Aerospace’s engineering team in Brno, Czech Republic, and is designed for high performance magnetic field measurements from orbit.

This collaboration combines solid-state quantum sensing with space-ready engineering to provide compact, high-performance, full-vector magnetic field measurements to advance Earth science, geophysics and space domain awareness. Aligned with the ESA’s Earth-observation and space-science objectives, the instrument will enable more detailed observations of Earth’s magnetic field while meeting strict satellite constraints for size, weight and power (SWaP).

Leveraging Honeywell Aerospace’s engineering expertise and development work at its Brno R&D site, together with Quantum Brilliance’s pioneering NV-diamond technology and the advanced physics research capabilities of Jagiellonian University, the system is expected to enable higher resolution geomagnetic mapping, improved radiation tolerance for long missions and smaller, lower power payloads.

“Quantum sensors are a breakthrough technology and their development is gaining traction globally,” said Jan Lukáš, quantum sensing technical lead at Honeywell Aerospace. “As the race to lead in this technology’s development intensifies, this new alliance will help Honeywell Aerospace push the technology forward.”

The diamond NV sensor from Quantum Brilliance enables compact, solid-state vector magnetic field measurement with a wide dynamic range. Its crystal structure supports direct 3D magnetic field reconstruction from a single sensing element, reducing system complexity and alignment requirements. Operating at room temperature, NV sensors maintain stable performance across varying magnetic field conditions. This technology is well suited to space environments with strict size, weight, and power constraints.

“Our collaboration with Honeywell Aerospace and Quantum Brilliance is an important step toward demonstrating a low-SWaP quantum sensor,” said John Liobe, Technical Director of European Quantum Sensing Programs at Quantum Brilliance. “This project unlocks a pathway to scalable manufacturing for the benefit of future satellite constellations for Earth science and space domain awareness.”

about Honeywell Aerospace 

Honeywell Aerospace (Nasdaq: HONA) is an independent global aerospace and defense company whose critical technologies are broadly deployed on the world’s leading commercial air transport, business aviation, defense and space platforms. These integrated solutions enable safer, more efficient, and more reliable missions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company employs more than 36,000 people globally and supports more than 10,000 customers. With a broad portfolio spanning avionics and navigation systems, engines and power systems, and control systems for aircraft, Honeywell Aerospace combines commitment and deep engineering expertise to drive innovation and long-term value for the aerospace industry. For more information, visit www.honeywellaerospace.com or follow Honeywell Aerospace on LinkedIn.

about Quantum Brilliance

Quantum Brilliance is a global leader in diamond-based quantum technology, specializing in the design, fabrication and manufacturing of small, ruggedized diamond quantum devices, operating at room temperature. With operations in Germany and Australia, QB’s mission is to take quantum everywhere, enabling the mass deployment of quantum technology, facilitating its integration into everyday devices and high-performance quantum sensing and computing systems. QB has attracted world-leading scientific and commercial talent in Australia and Europe. Its international partnerships extend into North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific, and include governments, supercomputing centers, research organizations, and industry partners.

about Jagiellonian University

Jagiellonian University in Krakow, the Poland’s oldest university, has been shaping science, education, and culture for more than six centuries. Combining deep academic tradition with a modern approach to research and teaching, it is one of the leading academic centres in Central and Eastern Europe. The University conducts world-class research, actively engages in international collaboration, and contributes to social and economic development.

The Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science at Jagiellonian University is a top Polish research centre in the physical sciences. Each year, its researchers publish around 500 articles in high-impact scientific journals. The Faculty leads dozens of national and international research projects, funded by the Polish state, European Union, and NATO.

The Faculty maintains extensive partnerships with major global research institutions—such as DESY, CERN, GSI and PSI—as well as technology and engineering leaders including NOKIA, ABB, Motorola, and Comarch.

Disclaimer: 

Views expressed in this press release can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Honeywell Aerospace: Petra Pacakova, petra.pacakova@honeywellaerospace.com
Quantum Brilliance: Mark Mattingley-Scott, mark.mattingley-scott@quantum-brilliance.com
Jagiellonian University: Anna Gawlik, anna.m.gawlik@uj.edu.pl