The Sherbrooke, Que.-based startup will assess how well its diamond-based quantum sensors detect magnetic fields for Earth observation with the European Space Agency for six months, with plans for future phases afterwards. It also joined a Canadian Space Agency stratospheric balloon program to test if its sensors can withstand space travel—such as exposure to extreme temperatures and radiation—and demonstrate its magnetic field-based navigation system. The company declined to share financial terms for the contracts. (The Logic) 

Talking point: The technology has potential to be a GPS alternative for environments where the system is jammed or unavailable, such as underground, underwater or in conflict zones, as well as for mineral exploration on Earth, the moon or Mars, CEO and co-founder David Roy-Guay told The Logic. Founded in 2017, the company hopes to replace the three bus-sized satellites  used for the World Magnetic Model with cheaper satellites that are the size of a milk jug. The startup is also a finalist in the MagQuest Challenge—a geomagnetic data competition run by NASA and an agency within the U.S. Defense Department—and plans to launch their tech into space in the second half of 2025.