ESA’s first quantum computer will shift computing frontiers in space

ESA-ESRIN, the European Space Agency’s Centre for Earth Observation, has welcomed its first quantum computer. The computer’s quantum processing capabilities will be merged with classical high-performance computing capabilities to research the potential advantages of hybrid classical-quantum computing for complex Earth observation problems.

The daily monitoring of our planet is generating an unprecedented amount of data, essential for climate modelling, weather forecasting and disaster response. This deluge of Earth observation data, now combined with the power of Machine Learning, requires a move beyond traditional computing paradigms, as classical computers are being pushed to their physical limits.

For years, Earth observation researchers have been studying the potential advantages of quantum computing in terms of speed-up, utility and memory use for the processing of Earth observation data. Unlike classical computers, which process information using bits that can take the value 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits. Through unique quantum mechanical properties such as superposition and entanglement, quantum computers can explore many possible solutions simultaneously, potentially offering significant advantages for specific classes of problems.

However, the demonstration of such advantages for Earth observation remains, in practice, a significant scientific challenge. Earth observation applications typically involve large, noisy and highly complex datasets, while the quantum computers available today remain relatively small and are still affected by hardware limitations, such as data coherence and error rates. As a result, researchers worldwide are actively investigating where quantum computing can deliver measurable benefits, and which Earth observation problems are best suited to hybrid classical-quantum approaches.

A recent collaboration between the European Space Agency and Equal1 is taking an important step in that direction. Following the agreement signature in November 2025, Equal1’s Bell-1 quantum computer, a 6-qubit system, is under installation at ESA-ESRIN’s Data Centre in Frascati.  

Bell-1 will provide ESA researchers with direct, on-premises access to quantum computing capabilities. Although limited in size, and in combination with ESA’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, this computer will serve as a testbed for the development and rapid prototyping of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms targeting Earth observation challenges. This unique environment will enable researchers to explore potential quantum advantages, benchmark emerging algorithms on real Earth observation datasets, and accelerate the transition from theoretical studies to practical demonstrations.

The easy integration of Bell-1 into ESA-ESRIN’s Data Centre has been enabled by its specific technology: Bell-1 is based on silicon spin qubits that are built using a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing process similar to what is used to make the chips inside everyday smartphones and laptops. The Bell-1 chip operates around 0.3 kelvin, and while that is still incredibly cold, it is significantly warmer than what other popular quantum computers require.

This temperature difference changes everything logistically. The entire computer is housed in a compact, rack-mounted chassis that can be directly integrated into more conventional data centre infrastructures. It relies entirely on an integrated, closed-cycle cooler, eliminating the need for external tanks of specialised coolers, and drawing only 1.6 kW of power – roughly the same as a single high-end enterprise server.

Bridging the gap with Hybrid Quantum Computing

After its installation in ESA-ESRIN’s Data Centre, Bell-1 will be available for internal research at ESA for one year after its commissioning. The goal is to operate Bell-1 under a hybrid quantum computing framework: ESA Φ-lab is planning a pilot demonstration of its use by the end of 2026, targeting several use cases investigated during the first phase of the project. Use cases include hybrid quantum neural networks for land use and land cover classification, satellite mission planning, and others to be later defined.

If the pilot phase is successful, it will represent a shift in how the Earth observation field views and uses quantum computing. By the end of the pilot phase, the practical findings from these use cases will be shared with the broader scientific community in a joint workshop hosted by ESA Φ-lab and Equal1.

Recognising the importance of using quantum computing for Earth observation data analysis, processing and modelling, Giuseppe Borghi, Head of the ESA Φ-lab Division, commented: “Earth observation will be entering an era where the scale and complexity of the data will challenge even our most advanced classical computing systems. Quantum computing promises a new way of approaching some of these problems, with the potential to complement the existing high-performance computing rather than replace it.”

“By bringing quantum computing into our Earth observation research environment, we can rigorously test where it delivers real value, develop hybrid algorithms for practical applications, and build the scientific foundations for the next generation of climate, weather and, in general, Earth intelligence”, Giuseppe added.  

The arrival of the Bell-1 quantum computer to ESA marks the beginning of a transformative chapter. Besides boosting ESA’s data processing power, it represents an important step towards a future where quantum and classical technologies work in unison to unlock solutions for our greatest global challenges.

To know more: ESA Φ-lab, Equal1

Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Laura Ockel