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量子技术的新发展导致了使用激光和磁场将原子冷却到接近绝对零度的能力。实验室实验表明，这些“冷原子”可用作测量重力的超灵敏传感器。在太空中使用这些传感器将能够绘制出整个地球表面重力强度的微小变化。该项目将调查这些传感器在太空中的潜在应用和市场。其中包括对极地冰块、洋流和海平面变化进行更准确监测的前景，从而提高全球气候模型的能力。更高分辨率的数据将使人们有能力监测较小的水源，并发现目前无法探测到的新的地下自然资源。类似的技术也可用于深空导航和在空间提供更高精度的计时源。该项目还将研究生产天基系统的技术可行性，并将提出一份路线图，说明实现商用空间传感器的步骤。

New developments in quantum technology have resulted in the ability to cool atoms close to absolute zero using lasers and magnetic fields. Laboratory experiments have shown that these "cold atoms" can be used as ultra-sensitive sensors for measuring gravity. Using these sensors in space will enable the mapping of tiny changes in the strength of gravity across the surface of the Earth. This project will investigate the potential applications and markets that these sensors will enable from space. These include the prospect of more accurate monitoring of changes in polar ice mass, ocean currents and sea level thereby enhancing the capability of global climate models. Higher resolution data would lead to the ability to monitor smaller water sources and discover new underground natural resources which are currently not detectable. Similar technology could also be used for deep space navigation and for providing higher precision timing sources in space. The project will also study the technical feasibility of producing a space based system and will propose a roadmap showing the steps to achieving a commercial space sensor.