The Sherbrooke-based startup partnered with the U.S. satellite company Spire Global in a years-long competition sponsored by the American government to collect better data on Earth’s magnetic field. An SBQuantum/Spire device is to be launched in 2025 to see how well it works in real conditions, SBUQuantum announced. (The Logic)

Talking point: The MagQuest competition is aimed at improving the official model of the field as it wobbles around erratically. The model is essential for navigation and electronic compasses, such as those in smartphones. By mounting SBQuantum’s diamond-based sensors on Spire’s backpack-sized satellites, the team proposes to take numerous high-resolution readings that would replace those from three bigger satellites that have been doing the job since 2013. The same technology could be used in settings where GPS-based navigation is impossible or needs backup, such as underground or underwater, and for fine-grained sensing of magnetic signatures in security and defence.