Exploring new frontiers with QC4EO at ESA Φ-lab

ESA Φ-lab has recently launched a new industrial activity in line with the Quantum Computing for Earth Observation (QC4EO) initiative. ‘Towards Operational Quantum Computing for Earth Observation’ focuses on the implementation of QC4EO use cases on quantum hardware with an operational focus. The aim is to demonstrate to the community that this revolutionising technology is quickly progressing with an increasing and positive impact on EO.

Quantum Computing (QC) is a hardware revolution that is increasing our ability to do much more than a conventional digital computer could. Together with AI, one of the most important software revolutions of our times, they are forming an extremely powerful alliance.

But how will QC change the computation paradigm? The first – and most obvious answer – is through its speed. Quantum computers will be able to perform specific calculations much faster than classical computers. They will also perform simulations of complex systems with a much higher degree of accuracy.

When it comes to energy efficiency, quantum computers will be designed to use fewer resources than classical computers and will open a range of new opportunities for problem-solving (e.g., factoring large numbers, optimisation in Complex). Brought together, these features will make QC a very appealing technology for Earth Observation studies.

Aligning with the ongoing technological disruption, ESA Φ-lab is exploring the expected revolution that Quantum software and hardware promises and that will positively impact EO and Earth Action, through the blend of QC4EO industrial, exploratory, and community-building activities.

On industrial activities, and building on the success of the QC4EO and QA4EO studies, Φ-lab has started a large project: ‘Towards Operational Quantum Computing for Earth Observation’ emphasises the application of Quantum Computing in Earth Observation (QC4EO), with a focus on hardware implementation and operationalisation. This initiative tests and implements quantum-based algorithms, featuring at least two use cases, one of which is associated with Digital Twin Earth.

This project highlights the swift progress and transformative potential of quantum technologies in the Earth Observation domain. Supported by the Foresight Element of FutureEO Block 4, it seeks to foster innovation and advancement in the sector.

Other industrial activities by Φ-lab include a recent co-funded activity, in collaboration with the University of Bari Aldo Moro, for the use of Quantum Machine Learning applied to SAR data for ground motion measurements. While previous activities are still under execution (e.g.,‘Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence for Earth Observation’ with CERN), Φ-lab and its partners – Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jagiellonian University and Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center – have successfully closed relevant activities on the field.

Currently pushing the boundaries of this research field, Φ-lab is developing new exploratory activities focused on Hybrid Quantum Machine Learning for land cover and land use classification, EO image generation, noise filtering in EO image datasets, and prediction and forecasting.

Φ-lab also released an open-source Python library for QC4EO, integrating QC into deep learning frameworks like TensorFlow and Torch, and providing tools for designing and executing hybrid quantum algorithms. For more information on Hybrid Quantum Models, visit the library here.

The Φ-lab QC4EO network has recently experienced a significant growth, connecting around 40 experts on QC4EO and bringing researchers, research centres, universities and agencies together. Additionally, Φ-lab is organising a dedicated session on “HPC and Quantum Computing for EO” at the Living Planet Symposium, in Vienna, and will be present at the 2025 IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) High-Performance and Disruptive Computing in Remote Sensing (HDCRS) Summer School.

Together with Gabriele Cavallaro, Visiting Professor at Φ-lab, the lab will be part of a new technical committee of IEEE GRSS about quantum technologies for EO (QuestTC). Alessandro Sebastianelli, Internal Research Fellow at Φ-lab, will be leading the working group – a branch of the technical committee – on QC4EO.

“At Φ-lab, we are very proud of this achievement. From building fundamental blocks like quantum neural layers to applying new quantum solutions in EO image filtering and forecasting, we are creating a new path in Quantum Computing for Earth Observation.”, comments Alessandro Sebastianelli. “This confirms the capability of Φ-lab to work on disruptive and revolutionary technologies, leading the R&D of Quantum Computing applied to Earth Observation.”

While advancements are being made in the fields of quantum-safe networks and quantum imaging, future research will bring insights in quantum navigation and simulation in chemistry and material sciences.

To know more: ESA Φ-lab, QC4EO

Photo courtesy of Unsplash/Nicolas Arnold