Thales
A global technology company working in defence, aerospace and space, cyber and digital across five continents.
From 2021 to 2023, Thales explored quantum-optimized satellite constellation management using a neutral atom quantum computer and is working to scale for production.
Challenges
Solution
Results
Optimizing the control of a large constellation of satellites with many constraints becomes exponentially complex beyond classical computers
Modelled as a multi-segment optimization problem, and tested it on a Pasqal neutral atom quantum computer in analog mode
Achieved similar results but slower performance than classical methods at these smaller scales, expected to become competitive as quantum computers scale up
Challenges
Optimizing the control of a large constellation of satellites with many constraints becomes exponentially complex beyond classical computers
Solution
Modelled as a multi-segment optimization problem, and tested it on a Pasqal neutral atom quantum computer in analog mode
Results
Achieved similar results but slower performance than classical methods at these smaller scales, expected to become competitive as quantum computers scale up
“With with our partners at Thales we are preparing the next steps to scale up the operational use of this Quantum approach to satellite constellations Mission planning.” – Mourad Beji, Chief Software Officer at Pasqal