STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research & Reviews : Journal of Space Science & Technology

Cold Atom Sensors in Space Applications: A Global Scenario

  1. Hriday Dath
  2. Radhika V. N.
  3. Rekha A. R.
  4. Krishnakumar J.
  5. Hemachandran S.

Abstract

In recent years, quantum technology has attracted attention in inertial navigation, especially due to its extreme sensitivity to inertial forces and strong immunity to drifts, which plague conventional sensors. There are multiple groups around the world working on cold atom interferometry aiming to develop high sensitive inertial sensors for very high accuracy autonomous navigation. Recent advancements in micro-fabrication technologies have helped in development of robust and miniaturized atom interferometry based high performance inertial systems. These, in future, will pave way for autonomous satellite inertial navigation sensors based on cold atoms. Here we discuss the achievements towards realizing cold atom inertial sensors and their indomitable role as inertial sensors for future satellites. A detailed survey on the initiatives taken by different space agencies, their achievements and their plans to explore its potential in space are also discussed.
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