UK publishes a quantum technology roadmap for space up to 2040

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The UK has set out how it wants quantum technology to reach orbit. Quantum Computing Report says the UK Space Agency and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have published a Quantum Technology Roadmap for Space covering priorities up to 2035 to 2040

The roadmap links the National Space Strategy with the ten year, £2.5 billion National Quantum Strategy. It covers public investment, testing equipment for space and industrial flight demonstrations

There are four themes. Timing covers optical and chip scale clocks, with test flights in low Earth orbit within five to ten years. Navigation and sensing covers cold atom sensors and magnetometers for navigation when satellite positioning is unavailable and for Earth observation. Secure communications covers post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution, while computing focuses on ground based hybrid algorithms, with quantum computers in orbit treated as exploratory and 10 to 15 years away

The roadmap warns that a growing gap in British in orbit demonstrations risks long term dependence on foreign hardware. It says the main bottlenecks are not the physics but practical components such as space qualified lasers, frequency combs, ultra high vacuum chambers and radiation hardened electronics. It proposes five immediate actions, including test flights for optical clocks and domestic radiation testing facilities

No budget is attached to the roadmap itself, so it is a plan rather than a funding commitment. Identifying practical engineering bottlenecks is useful, though, because that is where many projects stall. The UK has strong quantum research, and space is a natural place to apply it

Should the UK invest more in quantum technology for space? And which theme do you think will deliver results first?

UK Space Agency and DSIT Publish Quantum Technology Roadmap for Space Targeting 2035-2040 Sovereign Capabilities - Quantum Computing Reportquantumcomputingreport.com