Spire Global launches satellite with quantum magnetometer for Earth mapping

Spire Global Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) launched a satellite aboard SpaceX's Transporter 16 mission as part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's MagQuest Challenge, according to a company statement.

The satellite carries SBQuantum's diamond quantum magnetometer system designed to collect geomagnetic data from low Earth orbit. The mission aims to advance measurement capabilities for Earth's magnetic field through commercial satellite infrastructure.

MagQuest is a multi-phase challenge to improve efficiency and reliability of geomagnetic data for the World Magnetic Model, which the NGA uses to represent Earth's magnetic field. The model supports navigation systems including mobile applications, GPS, surveying tools and military systems.

"Reliable positioning, navigation, and timing is a growing priority, particularly in GPS-degraded environments," said Quintin Jones, vice president and head of North America at Spire Global. "Through the MagQuest challenge, we're demonstrating how commercial satellite infrastructure can support new approaches to geomagnetic data collection."

The companies will operate the satellite system and provide data to NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for evaluation. The challenge includes potential additional funding to continue operations beyond the initial three-year period.

David Roy-Guay, founder of SBQuantum, described the orbital deployment as a milestone for the company. The device will monitor Earth's magnetic field continuously from space, providing data for the World Magnetic Model and electronic compass systems including those in smartphones.

Results from MagQuest will inform the NGA's acquisition strategy for a global magnetic field data collection capability. The challenge offers multi-million-dollar prize awards for advancing geomagnetic measurement technologies.

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