Australian Quantum Technology To Support National

A new quantum clock technology developed in Australia has now been deployed in space.

Developed by QuantX Labs, TEMPO delivers up to 10 times the performance of current GNSS-based timing systems. In space, that translates to more resilient communications, more accurate navigation and harder-to-disrupt synchronization between satellites and ground systems – capabilities that matter when GPS is jammed, spoofed or unavailable.

The development comes as the Australian Government released the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program last month, committing A$425 billion over the next decade. The strategy ranks undersea warfare and resilient multi-orbit satellite communications as its first and seventh priorities respectively.

The Integrated Investment Program commits A$9-$12 billion to enhanced space capabilities, with a rescoped focus on a resilient, multi-orbit Australian defense satellite communications capability. Precision atomic clocks like TEMPO are foundational to keeping satellite constellations synchronized and communications secure under electronic attack.

QuantX Labs is also developing SENTIO, an extremely sensitive quantum magnetometer capable of detecting objects underwater and underground. Quantum magnetometry is one of the most promising emerging technologies that can detect submerged targets in GPS-denied environments without relying on traditional acoustic signatures.

The technologies built by QuantX Labs have been developed in partnership with Adelaide University.

Professor Nigel Spooner and Dr Erik Shartner from the university, through their industry partner TeraGlo, are developing quantum sensors for seabed mining. Their sensors allow for real-time material identification and quantification enabling interactive material targeting and process control.

They are also developing sensors for mud logging – the creation of a detailed record (well log) of a borehole by examining the cuttings of rock…

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