World-first: Quantum computer operated in space despite setbacks

Scientists at the University of Vienna have achieved a global first after operating a quantum computer in space. The computer was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket in June 2025. It could only be operated after much tribulation, showcasing the challenges of operating new technologies in the harsh environments of space. 

The idea to launch a quantum computer to space was also a response to another challenge being faced in space- the data bottleneck for satellites. While companies like SpaceX have made it easier to launch missions into orbit, the challenges of operating them are much the same. 

Satellites are great at collecting raw data but do not carry compute that can process it. This means that all captured data must first be sent back to Earth to make sense of it. 

However, this creates a bottleneck because downlink bandwidth and ground-station availability limit how much data is received. A possible alternative to this is to process the data on the satellite itself, and a quantum solution would be ideal. 

Quantum computer in space

It is common knowledge now that qubits, or quantum bits that store information in quantum computers, are extremely sensitive to outside disturbances. The orbital environment that satellites operate in does not offer the highly controlled environments of quantum laboratories, which can shield the system.