Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CARIOQA PHA (Cold Atom Rubidium Interferometer in Orbit for Quantum Accelerometry – Phase A)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-06-30
The overarching goal of CARIOQA-PHA is to prepare the deployment of quantum gravimeters/accelerometers in space, within the decade, through a Quantum Pathfinder Mission. Indeed, the emergence of quantum sensors offers an opportunity to provide new applications for climate sciences through the improvement of space gravimetry performance. Hence, the mastery of this technology in
space is one of the major environmental, technological and strategic challenges of the decade.
CARIOQA-PHA build the first step of a Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission relying on instrument technology developed in CARIOQA-PMP. CARIOQA-PHA investigates different system architectures and operations concepts and compares them against the needs of the Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission. The feasibility of each component of both space and ground segments are assessed by dedicated studies. These studies allow to identify the critical technologies and components necessary to deploy the mission. The way forward for technological maturation is proposed in order to ensure the deployment of the Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission within the decade. The Preliminary Requirement Review formally concludes CARIOQA-PHA by assessing the project readiness and technology maturity to enter into Phase B. CARIOQA-PHA brings together the leading players in space missions’ development in Europe. The project is coordinated by two space agencies (CNES, DLR) linked by a cooperation agreement on the development of quantum sensors. This leadership enables an efficient coordination of the project's industrial dimensions and ensure its harmonisation with the European programmatic framework. Space agencies bring their expertise in the
development of quantum technologies and sensors, gravity field modelling, and experience in the operation of instruments and missions. The system expertise is provided by CNES drawing on its core system skills and capacity for constant innovation. The industrial team brings together manufacturers with world-class expertise in the development of space instruments (ADS-F), satellites (ADS-G) and mission analysis (GMV). Exploitation, including innovation and IPR management, Communication and Dissemination, data and security management are handled by expert partners with a long track record of supporting EU funded projects (CNES, PRAXI Network/FORTH).
space is one of the major environmental, technological and strategic challenges of the decade.
CARIOQA-PHA build the first step of a Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission relying on instrument technology developed in CARIOQA-PMP. CARIOQA-PHA investigates different system architectures and operations concepts and compares them against the needs of the Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission. The feasibility of each component of both space and ground segments are assessed by dedicated studies. These studies allow to identify the critical technologies and components necessary to deploy the mission. The way forward for technological maturation is proposed in order to ensure the deployment of the Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder Mission within the decade. The Preliminary Requirement Review formally concludes CARIOQA-PHA by assessing the project readiness and technology maturity to enter into Phase B. CARIOQA-PHA brings together the leading players in space missions’ development in Europe. The project is coordinated by two space agencies (CNES, DLR) linked by a cooperation agreement on the development of quantum sensors. This leadership enables an efficient coordination of the project's industrial dimensions and ensure its harmonisation with the European programmatic framework. Space agencies bring their expertise in the
development of quantum technologies and sensors, gravity field modelling, and experience in the operation of instruments and missions. The system expertise is provided by CNES drawing on its core system skills and capacity for constant innovation. The industrial team brings together manufacturers with world-class expertise in the development of space instruments (ADS-F), satellites (ADS-G) and mission analysis (GMV). Exploitation, including innovation and IPR management, Communication and Dissemination, data and security management are handled by expert partners with a long track record of supporting EU funded projects (CNES, PRAXI Network/FORTH).
The project began in January 2024 and is ended in June 2025. The main achievements are:
* Drafting of the various specification (Mission Requirement Document, Satellite and instrument Customer Nedd specification)
* Preliminary mission performance estimation
* Preliminary design of the system and operational concept of the mission
* Mission analysis with the orbit definition, LEOP and station keeping strategy, collision avoidance manœuvre and deorbitation strategy in line with the Space Debris Mitigation rules
* Feasibility study of the satellite and instrument with AOCS, AMT, propulsion, Electric power subsystem and Platform/instrument interfaces analyses
* Elaboration of the development plan with model philosophy, TRL evaluation of the critical components and risks analyse
* Elaboration of the Project Management Plan for the next phase (Phase B), the Data Management Plan and Product assurance Plan
* ROM cost evaluation of the mission
* Preliminary Requirement Review
* Drafting of the various specification (Mission Requirement Document, Satellite and instrument Customer Nedd specification)
* Preliminary mission performance estimation
* Preliminary design of the system and operational concept of the mission
* Mission analysis with the orbit definition, LEOP and station keeping strategy, collision avoidance manœuvre and deorbitation strategy in line with the Space Debris Mitigation rules
* Feasibility study of the satellite and instrument with AOCS, AMT, propulsion, Electric power subsystem and Platform/instrument interfaces analyses
* Elaboration of the development plan with model philosophy, TRL evaluation of the critical components and risks analyse
* Elaboration of the Project Management Plan for the next phase (Phase B), the Data Management Plan and Product assurance Plan
* ROM cost evaluation of the mission
* Preliminary Requirement Review
CARIOQA-PHA demonstrated the feasibility of the Quantum Space Gravimetry Pathfinder mission by providing a preliminary design of the system and operational concept. The Preliminary Requirement Review assessed the maturity of the project and its ability to proceed to the next phase. The CARIOQA-PHA results of the various analyses will serve as the basis for this phase.