Building compact quantum inertial sensing for small spacecraft.
Q1 is Apohele's R&D platform for compact quantum inertial sensing, currently in active research and development. Built on cold atoms and atom interferometry, it aims to bring laboratory-grade inertial precision to small spacecraft.
Q1 is an active R&D program, not a finished or operational product. The capabilities and performance described on this page are development targets and research objectives — not delivered or flight-proven specifications.
Precision inertial sensing, from first principles
Classical inertial sensors drift over time. Q1's research direction uses the fixed properties of atoms as a measurement reference, targeting stability that classical sensors cannot reach.
The goal is a quantum inertial sensor compact enough to fly on a small satellite, opening the door to navigation and sensing that do not depend on external signals such as GNSS.
Cold atoms and atom interferometry
Q1's research is grounded in techniques drawn from precision atomic physics.
Cold atoms
Laser-cooled atomic samples provide an extremely stable, well-understood reference for precision measurement — a physical standard rather than a drifting mechanical one.
Atom interferometry
By splitting and recombining atomic matter waves, Q1 aims to measure acceleration and rotation with sensitivity that scales with the fundamental physics of the atoms themselves.
Small-spacecraft integration
The core research challenge is delivering this precision within the size, weight, and power constraints of a CubeSat-class platform.
Where quantum inertial sensing could matter
These are target application areas the Q1 program is exploring — each an active research direction rather than a delivered capability.
Precision acceleration sensing
Cold-atom accelerometry targeting bias stability well beyond conventional MEMS and classical inertial sensors.
Inertial navigation
GNSS-independent navigation for environments where satellite signals are degraded, denied, or unavailable.
Gravity sensing
Sensitive gravimetry and gradiometry for geophysical mapping and resource and subsurface characterization.
Atmospheric drag measurement
Direct measurement of non-gravitational forces to improve orbit determination in very low Earth orbit.
A research roadmap
- Now
Research & architecture
Defining the sensing architecture and evaluating cold-atom techniques against small-spacecraft constraints.
- Next
Laboratory prototyping
Building and characterizing benchtop and ruggedized prototypes to validate performance and identify miniaturization paths.
- Future
Flight demonstration
Maturing the platform toward an in-orbit technology demonstration aboard an Apohele CubeSat.
Let's talk about your next mission
Whether you're planning a payload, evaluating platforms, or exploring quantum navigation research, our team would like to hear from you.