Launch of a diamond quantum magnetometer could redefine how Earth’s magnetic field is monitored and initiate a new era of GPS-independent navigation
SHERBROOKE, Canada (March 27, 2026) — SBQuantum, the first company delivering quantum diamond magnetometers capable of providing accurate and timely data for navigation, defense and public safety applications, today announces that its sensor is scheduled for launch into space on March 29 as part of the final phase of the MagQuest Challenge. Led by the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the multi-million-dollar MagQuest competition seeks to identify and accelerate new technologies to monitor Earth’s magnetic field and ensure the ongoing accuracy of the World Magnetic Model (WMM).
The World Magnetic Model underpins navigation systems relied upon by billions of people worldwide. More than a billion smartphone users depend on it for mobile navigation apps, commercial airlines use it for flight routing, and militaries around the globe rely on it for mission critical operations. The satellites currently collecting the data needed to produce the WMM are approaching end of life. Earth’s magnetic field is also shifting at an accelerating rate, making continuous, high-quality monitoring more important than ever.
“Reaching the final phase of MagQuest is the most significant technical milestone in our company’s history,” said David Roy-Guay, Founder of SBQuantum. “Our technology has now been validated for the most demanding conditions imaginable, and we are proud to bring to market a device which could soon play a central role in how the world navigates on land, air and sea. Applications for this sensor go far beyond the WMM itself, from defense and navigation to resource exploration and public safety. We believe quantum sensing is the next frontier, and we are at the forefront of delivering on its potential.”
SBQuantum’s diamond quantum magnetometer represents a significant leap forward in addressing the challenge of magnetic navigation. Current infrastructure for monitoring Earth’s magnetic field is large, expensive and provides only periodic snapshots of the field. SBQuantum’s device is roughly the size of a quart of milk and harnesses the principles of quantum physics to deliver continuous, highly detailed monitoring of the field and its movement with exceptional precision, even in the extreme conditions of space.
Beyond improving the WMM, the data collected by SBQuantum’s sensor has significant implications for the future of navigation. Unlike GPS, magnetic navigation provides reliable and accurate readings across all environments, including those where satellite signals are denied, degraded or contested. This makes it a strategic priority for defense and aerospace sectors seeking resilient alternatives to GPS in an era of growing electronic warfare. In the company’s home country of Canada, quantum sensors have recently been recognized as one of ten “Key Sovereign Capabilities” in the country’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, underscoring the critical importance of the technology SBQuantum is developing.
MagQuest is a seven-year open innovation challenge launched by the NGA in 2019 with a total prize pool exceeding $2.1 million across its first three phases alone. Three finalist teams entered Phase 4, each receiving several million dollars in awards including a $1.55 million Phase 4a incentive prize purse, to design, build, test and launch these devices. SBQuantum is competing as part of a partnership with Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR), a global provider of space based data and analytics. Spire’s satellite infrastructure, ground stations and data processing capabilities complement SBQuantum’s magnetometer technology. The final phase of the challenge is expected to conclude in the fall of this year, with results informing the NGA’s acquisition strategy for WMM data collection capacity, expected to be operational by 2030. SBQuantum’s magnetometers are capable of a wide range of applications beyond navigation, including security screening around controlled-access facilities and a range of defense and intelligence functions that conventional sensors cannot perform.
About SBQuantum
Founded and based in the quantum technology hub of Sherbrooke, Canada, SBQuantum produces leading-edge hardware in the field of quantum sensing, combined with advanced interpretation and compensation algorithms to extract insight from magnetics for users across multiple industries. The company has secured significant non-dilutive financing and over $15 million in R&D contracts. Its quantum magnetometer has been tested at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center ahead of being launched into space. Beyond the MagQuest Challenge, the company holds contracts with the Canadian Department of National Defence, the European Space Agency and defense primes, and intends to bring its miniaturized sensors to unmanned vehicles and a range of other use cases not possible with conventional sensing. For additional information, visit sbquantum.com.
