Quantum Computing, Inc. Awarded Contract to Support NASA's Space Based LIDAR Data Analysis
Quantum Computing (QUBT) has secured a $406,478 subcontract to support NASA's Langley Research Center in developing quantum computing solutions for space LIDAR data analysis. The contract, awarded through Analytical Mechanics Associates, runs until May 31, 2026.
Using their Dirac-3 quantum computer, QCi will work on removing sunlight noise from space LIDAR data, addressing a major challenge in NASA's daytime atmospheric sensing and Earth observation missions. The current solutions require large, power-hungry hardware that increases mission costs. QCi's quantum-based approach aims to improve signal-to-noise ratio without adding physical payload.
The project will focus on enhancing data processing for NASA's CALIPSO and ICESat-2 satellites. If successful, this quantum solution could enable NASA to achieve desired performance with smaller telescopes and lower-power lasers, potentially reducing costs for future LIDAR missions.
Quantum Computing (QUBT) ha ottenuto un subappalto da 406.478 dollari per supportare il Langley Research Center della NASA nello sviluppo di soluzioni di calcolo quantistico per l'analisi dei dati LIDAR spaziali. Il contratto, assegnato tramite Analytical Mechanics Associates, è valido fino al 31 maggio 2026.
Utilizzando il loro computer quantistico Dirac-3, QCi lavorerà per eliminare il rumore solare dai dati LIDAR spaziali, affrontando una sfida importante nelle missioni di osservazione atmosferica diurna e terrestre della NASA. Le soluzioni attuali richiedono hardware voluminoso e ad alto consumo energetico, che aumentano i costi delle missioni. L'approccio quantistico di QCi mira a migliorare il rapporto segnale-rumore senza aggiungere carico fisico.
Il progetto si concentrerà sul miglioramento dell'elaborazione dati per i satelliti CALIPSO e ICESat-2 della NASA. Se avrà successo, questa soluzione quantistica potrebbe permettere alla NASA di ottenere le prestazioni desiderate con telescopi più piccoli e laser a minore potenza, riducendo potenzialmente i costi delle future missioni LIDAR.
Quantum Computing (QUBT) ha asegurado un subcontrato de 406,478 dólares para apoyar al Centro de Investigación Langley de la NASA en el desarrollo de soluciones de computación cuántica para el análisis de datos LIDAR espaciales. El contrato, otorgado a través de Analytical Mechanics Associates, se extiende hasta el 31 de mayo de 2026.
Utilizando su computadora cuántica Dirac-3, QCi trabajará en eliminar el ruido solar de los datos LIDAR espaciales, abordando un desafío importante en las misiones diurnas de observación atmosférica y terrestre de la NASA. Las soluciones actuales requieren hardware grande y con alto consumo energético, lo que incrementa los costos de las misiones. El enfoque cuántico de QCi busca mejorar la relación señal-ruido sin añadir carga física.
El proyecto se enfocará en mejorar el procesamiento de datos para los satélites CALIPSO e ICESat-2 de la NASA. Si tiene éxito, esta solución cuántica podría permitir que la NASA logre el rendimiento deseado con telescopios más pequeños y láseres de menor potencia, reduciendo potencialmente los costos de futuras misiones LIDAR.
Quantum Computing (QUBT)는 NASA 랭글리 연구소를 지원하기 위해 406,478달러 규모의 하도급 계약을 체결하여 우주 LIDAR 데이터 분석을 위한 양자 컴퓨팅 솔루션 개발에 참여합니다. 이 계약은 Analytical Mechanics Associates를 통해 체결되었으며 2026년 5월 31일까지 유효합니다.
QCi는 Dirac-3 양자 컴퓨터를 사용하여 우주 LIDAR 데이터에서 태양광 잡음을 제거하는 작업을 수행할 예정이며, 이는 NASA의 주간 대기 감지 및 지구 관측 임무에서 중요한 과제입니다. 현재의 솔루션은 크고 전력 소모가 많은 하드웨어를 필요로 하여 임무 비용을 증가시키고 있습니다. QCi의 양자 기반 접근법은 물리적 페이로드를 추가하지 않고 신호 대 잡음비를 개선하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이 프로젝트는 NASA의 CALIPSO 및 ICESat-2 위성 데이터 처리 향상에 중점을 둘 것입니다. 성공할 경우 이 양자 솔루션은 NASA가 더 작은 망원경과 저전력 레이저로 원하는 성능을 달성하게 하여 미래 LIDAR 임무의 비용을 줄일 수 있을 것입니다.
Quantum Computing (QUBT) a obtenu un sous-contrat de 406 478 dollars pour soutenir le Centre de Recherche Langley de la NASA dans le développement de solutions de calcul quantique pour l'analyse des données LIDAR spatiales. Le contrat, attribué via Analytical Mechanics Associates, court jusqu'au 31 mai 2026.
Utilisant leur ordinateur quantique Dirac-3, QCi travaillera à éliminer le bruit solaire des données LIDAR spatiales, répondant ainsi à un défi majeur des missions de détection atmosphérique diurne et d'observation terrestre de la NASA. Les solutions actuelles nécessitent du matériel volumineux et énergivore, ce qui augmente les coûts des missions. L'approche quantique de QCi vise à améliorer le rapport signal sur bruit sans ajouter de charge utile physique.
Le projet se concentrera sur l'amélioration du traitement des données pour les satellites CALIPSO et ICESat-2 de la NASA. En cas de succès, cette solution quantique pourrait permettre à la NASA d'atteindre les performances souhaitées avec des télescopes plus petits et des lasers moins puissants, réduisant potentiellement les coûts des futures missions LIDAR.
Quantum Computing (QUBT) hat einen Unterauftrag in Höhe von 406.478 US-Dollar erhalten, um das Langley Research Center der NASA bei der Entwicklung von Quantencomputing-Lösungen für die Analyse von Weltraum-LIDAR-Daten zu unterstützen. Der Vertrag, der über Analytical Mechanics Associates vergeben wurde, läuft bis zum 31. Mai 2026.
Mit ihrem Dirac-3 Quantencomputer wird QCi daran arbeiten, Sonnenlichtrauschen aus Weltraum-LIDAR-Daten zu entfernen, was eine große Herausforderung bei den Tageslicht-Atmosphärenmessungen und Erdbeobachtungsmissionen der NASA darstellt. Die aktuellen Lösungen erfordern große, stromintensive Hardware, die die Missionskosten erhöht. QCi's quantenbasierter Ansatz zielt darauf ab, das Signal-Rausch-Verhältnis zu verbessern, ohne zusätzliche physische Nutzlast hinzuzufügen.
Das Projekt wird sich auf die Verbesserung der Datenverarbeitung für die NASA-Satelliten CALIPSO und ICESat-2 konzentrieren. Bei Erfolg könnte diese Quantenlösung der NASA ermöglichen, die gewünschten Leistungen mit kleineren Teleskopen und energiesparenderen Lasern zu erreichen, was die Kosten zukünftiger LIDAR-Missionen potenziell senken würde.
- New $406K NASA subcontract awarded through May 2026
- Technology could reduce NASA mission costs through smaller telescopes and lower-power lasers
- Expands on previous NASA contracts, showing growing credibility with government institutions
- Quantum solution operates at room temperature and low power, making it cost-effective
- Addresses real commercial problem in LIDAR data processing
- Contract is time and materials based, not fixed-price, indicating potential revenue uncertainty
- Relatively small contract value at $406K ceiling
- Success of quantum-based approach not yet proven
- Heavy dependence on government contracts for revenue
Insights
NASA's $406K contract validates QCi's quantum technology, providing modest revenue but significant strategic positioning in government/aerospace sectors.
QCi has secured a
The contract's structure suggests revenue will be recognized progressively rather than as a lump sum, spreading the financial impact over the 13-month performance period. For quantum computing companies, securing government contracts is particularly valuable as they provide both revenue and crucial third-party validation of technological capabilities.
This award builds upon QCi's previous NASA work, demonstrating growing credibility in the quantum computing space. The company's focus on solving practical, real-world problems differentiates it in a market where many competitors remain focused on theoretical applications. For investors, this represents concrete evidence that QCi can commercialize its quantum technology while establishing relationships with high-profile government clients.
If successful, this project could position QCi for expanded opportunities not only with NASA but potentially across other government agencies and aerospace contractors seeking quantum-enhanced data processing solutions.
QCi's quantum approach to solving NASA's LIDAR sunlight noise problem demonstrates practical quantum advantage with commercial viability beyond theoretical research.
This contract highlights a significant real-world application of quantum computing to solve a specific aerospace challenge. QCi will use its Dirac-3 quantum computer to develop techniques for filtering solar noise from space-based LIDAR data – addressing a critical limitation in NASA's atmospheric sensing and Earth observation capabilities.
The technical significance extends beyond the modest contract value. Current approaches to improving signal-to-noise ratio in LIDAR systems require bulky optics hardware that increases weight, power requirements, and ultimately mission costs. QCi's quantum-based approach aims to solve this computationally rather than through hardware modifications.
This represents an important transition in quantum computing applications from theoretical advantage to practical problem-solving. By enhancing data from NASA satellites like CALIPSO and ICESat-2, QCi could demonstrate measurable improvements in climate and atmospheric science data collection without requiring new satellite launches or hardware modifications.
The potential breakthrough is enabling NASA to achieve desired performance levels with smaller telescopes or lower-power lasers, creating opportunities for more compact and cost-effective LIDAR payloads. This application exemplifies how quantum computing can create value by solving specific domain problems rather than just demonstrating abstract computational advantages – a crucial step toward commercial viability in quantum technologies.
Using QCi's latest Dirac-3 quantum computer, the Company will develop and test quantum computing techniques to identify and remove sunlight noise in space LIDAR data. This will help NASA obtain adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) even in daytime measurements. So far, the sunlight noise is a major obstacle facing NASA in obtaining reliable atmospheric sensing and Earth observation data during daytime. Existing approaches to increasing the SNR require the use of optics hardware with excessive size and power parameters, which drive up the weight and mission costs. QCi's approach leverages the unique capabilities of its quantum optimization machine to improve SNR without increasing physical payload size, weight or power requirements.
"This award expands on the work QCi has performed on several previous NASA subcontracts and underscores the growing credibility QCi has earned as a trusted partner in quantum innovation for leading government and research institutions," said Dr. William McGann, CEO of QCi. "Our goal is to deliver a quantum-based denoising solution that could materially reduce the cost and complexity of space-based LIDAR missions. By enabling efficient and accurate data collection during daytime operations, this project has the potential to transform how we approach climate and atmospheric science from space. QCi's quantum machines are already solving complex, real-world problems today, demonstrating the practical impact of our technology."
The project will focus on demonstrating the application of quantum computing to improving data processing for NASA's space LIDAR, including imagery from the CALIPSO and ICESat-2 satellites, and ultimately aims to significantly reduce the mission costs. If successful, the quantum-based approach could enable NASA to achieve desired performance levels with smaller telescopes or lower-power lasers, opening the door to more compact and affordable LIDAR payloads for future missions.
This latest contract reflects QCi's growing capability to apply quantum and photonic solutions to real-world scientific and engineering challenges, and reinforces its continued collaboration with NASA to advance innovation in space and Earth observation technologies.
About AMA:
Since 1962, AMA has worked with government and commercial organizations solving tough engineering, science, math, and business problems. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in analytics, information technology, and visualization to build innovative solutions. Learn more at www.ama-inc.com
About Quantum Computing Inc.
Quantum Computing Inc. (Nasdaq: QUBT) is an innovative, integrated photonics and quantum optics technology company that provides accessible and affordable quantum machines to the world today. QCi's products are designed to operate at room temperature and low power at an affordable cost. The Company's portfolio of core technologies and products offer unique capabilities in the areas of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, as well as remote sensing applications.
Company Contact:
Rosalyn Christian/John Nesbett
IMS Investor Relations
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements, generally identified by terms such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends," "goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," "aim to," or variations of these or similar words, involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of QCi and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, including the successful development of quantum noise subtraction techniques and the timing and amount of revenue recognition, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Except as required by federal securities law, QCi undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed conditions.
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SOURCE Quantum Computing Inc.