Quantum navigation tested aboard US military space plane

A US military space plane will test a GPS-free quantum navigation sensor in space, signaling a push toward autonomous, resilient spaceflight.

Quantum navigation tested aboard US military space plane

A US military space plane, the X-37B, is set to begin its eighth flight into space on August 21, 2025. Much of what the X-37B does remains secret, but officials describe the mission as a platform for advanced experiments, including a quantum inertial sensor that could support navigation without GPS.

In space and underwater, GPS can fail or be jammed. Quantum inertial sensors use atom interferometry to measure motion with high precision, offering a potential GPS-free alternative for spacecraft, aircraft, ships and future deep space missions. The X-37B mission would be the first in-space test of such a system for navigation, building on earlier demonstrations by Boeing and AOSense and public tests in the UK that showed the physics in orbit. The test signals a broader push by the US and allies into quantum sensing and could affect both military and civilian space operations.

The mission signals a shift toward autonomy in space flight, moving from lab promises to in-space demonstrations. If successful, quantum navigation could provide a reliable backup when signals from Earth are unavailable, expanding mission options for deep space exploration. Yet the secrecy surrounding military tech invites questions about transparency and governance, and the test raises the issue of dual-use benefits and risks in a competitive global tech race.

Highlights

A quiet turn toward autonomous space navigation could quietly redefine the rules of the final frontier.