Historic launch: quantum computer sent into Earth's orbit for the first time

On June 23, 2025, humanity took another step into the future — for the first time in history, a quantum computer was sent into Earth's orbit. The device was part of the Transporter 14 mission, carried out by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. This was reported by Interesting Engineering.

The quantum computer, about the size of a shoebox, was developed under the guidance of scientists Simon Steiner, Iris Agresti, and Philipp Walter, and assembled in just 11 days. It is mounted on a satellite and designed to test the performance of qubits in conditions of weightlessness and radiation.

The purpose of the experiment is to check the stability of quantum computations in space. Unlike conventional processors, quantum chips can process multiple states simultaneously, making them especially promising for data processing in orbit.

If the experiment is successful, it will open the way for using quantum chips in:

• real-time data encryption,

• autonomous satellite navigation,

• monitoring and analysis of space phenomena.

Experts believe that launching a quantum computer into space is a revolutionary step for the industry. It is the first step toward making quantum computing a standard part of satellites and interplanetary probes.

New quantum experiments are planned in space in the coming years, including more powerful processors and multipurpose platforms.