DOE Strengthens Quantum-in-Space Collaboration with Three New Partners to Advance U.S. Leadership

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) today announced the expansion of the Quantum-in-Space Collaboration with three new signatories: IonQ, Honeywell, and the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga (EPB).

The Quantum-in-Space Collaboration brings together government, industry, and academic partners to advance quantum technologies in orbit.

“This expansion shows how DOE is building the bridge from demonstration to deployment by adding commercial partners that can bring lab-proven systems into orbit and open pathways to market applications,” said Anthony Pugliese, DOE Chief Commercialization Officer and Director of OTC. “With IonQ and Honeywell joining this Collaboration, we are strengthening the ecosystem that positions the United States to lead in the next generation of quantum and space technologies.” 

“This Collaboration is about turning possibility into practice and learning by doing,” said Rima Kasia Oueid, DOE Senior Commercialization Executive and lead architect of the Quantum-in-Space Collaboration. “By bringing in new partners, we are accelerating commercialization, demonstrating applications like secure quantum communications, advanced quantum position navigation and timing, and quantum sensing, and expanding America’s role in the space economy. This collaboration will help us seed a quantum sandbox in space to support resource exploration and manufacturing of high-value products leveraging microgravity, as well as explore new capabilities.”

Leaders from IonQ, Honeywell, and EPB also welcomed the announcement.

“By working alongside the DOE, we aim to demonstrate the power of quantum computing and networking to enable new applications for secure communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “This MOU reflects the growing importance of quantum technologies in achieving global leadership in space innovation and cybersecurity.”

“We are honored to be part of such a landmark initiative led by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Commercialization, fostering disruptive quantum technologies to underpin the space economy,” said Lisa Napolitano, Vice President and General Manager, Space, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “The defense and space industry is rapidly evolving with high priorities on security and resiliency by governments and other critical industries. The Collaboration will leverage Honeywell’s quantum optical payload technology, expertise in satellite communications, and onboard quantum computing to deliver quantum-secured communications and quantum sensing.”

“DOE is leading the way in advancing quantum innovation, and EPB is proud to support this effort alongside industry leaders by helping develop technologies such as quantum satellite-to-ground systems,” said EPB CEO David Wade. “Together, we’re working toward breakthroughs that will help secure and optimize our local power grid for the long-term benefit of our customers. This collaboration also reinforces Chattanooga’s role as a hub for discoveries with national impact while ensuring our community continues to benefit from being a leader in the rapidly emerging quantum industry.”

The Collaboration— now joined by IonQ, Honeywell, and EPB— also includes Boeing, Axiom Space, USRA, Vescent, Qrypt, Blue Origin, Infleqtion, Accenture, and Nebula, and continues to grow as a platform for feasibility studies and pilot demonstrations that support DOE, DOD, and NASA mission objectives. The effort remains open to additional U.S. partners working to accelerate deployment of quantum technologies that strengthen national security and U.S. competitiveness.

For more information or to learn how to partner with us, please contact Rima Oueid, DOE’s Quantum in Space lead and OTT Senior Commercialization Executive via email to Rima.Oueid@hq.doe.gov.

About the Department of Energy Office of Technology Commercialization   

The Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the largest champions of technology transfer and commercialization in the federal government. Congress established the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) in 2015 to advance this critical mission. By unlocking the tremendous potential within the Department and its 21 National Labs, plants and sites, and catalyzing private sector investment in novel technologies, OTC is driving innovation—and with it, American energy dominance and national security. Visit us at energy.gov/otc to learn more, and subscribe to receive our latest opportunities and accomplishments via email. Follow us on X and LinkedIn.   

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