Astronaut Raphaël Liégeois will carry a Belgian diamond-based quantum sensor to the ISS

End 2026, Belgian ESA astronaut Raphaël Liégeois will embark on his first space mission, carrying a diamond-based quantum sensor for astrochemical research to the International Space Station (ISS). Developed by the OSCAR team at Hasselt University in collaboration with the University of Louvain (UCLouvain) and the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), this quantum sensor will enable fundamental research into the behavior of molecules in microgravity.

Selected by the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO), the OSCAR-BLINQ consortium aims to showcase Belgium’s expertise in space technology and quantum sensing for astrochemical applications.

The OSCAR-BLINQ quantum sensor will be installed on board the International Space Station in the second half of 2026 by astronaut Raphaël Liégeois. The technology will study how certain specific light-sensitive molecules behave in space.

“We are focusing on two specific light-sensitive molecules that react on light exposure.” says Jaroslav Hrubý, coordinator of the OSCAR-BLINQ research project and postdoctoral researcher at imo-imomec, the associated lab of imec at UHasselt.

“With our technology, we can track how these molecules return to their original state - whether through shifts in acidity (pH levels) or the release of radicals. At the core of the sensor is a diamond-based quantum sensor containing six specially designed (nano)diamond samples, each with unique quantum properties.”

Space exploration

This research, at the cross-section of physics and chemistry, aims to uncover new fundamental insights into how molecular processes behave in weightlessness.

“The results of this study could contribute to a better understanding of the broader effects of weightlessness in space on biological systems, such as the human body or plants. This knowledge is crucial for future space exploration, where the goal is to send people deeper into space for longer periods. This type of research also presents a new way to use quantum sensors in space exploration.”

The OSCAR-BLINQ research builds on the technology developed by the UHasselt student team OSCAR, which, with support from ESA Education, already placed a diamond-based quantum magnetometer on board the ISS in 2021. “For ten months, we mapped the magnetic field around Earth on board the ISS.

We demonstrated that our unique diamond-based magnetometer with quantum properties functions well under the harsh conditions of space. With this new research, we’re taking the next step forward,” says Jaroslav Hrubý.

Belgian collaboration

OSCAR-BLINQ is a collaboration between the OSCAR team at Hasselt University, the Space physics department of the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), and the research group Molecular Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis Division (MOST) of the Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN) at the University of Louvain (UCLouvain).

The OSCAR team at UHasselt is responsible for the development of the quantum sensor. The research group from BIRA-IASB will focus on developing measurement protocols for astrochemical study, under the lead of Prof. Dr. Anna Ermakova. Meanwhile, the group from UCLouvain, will focus on the synthesis of light-sensitive materials and investigate the excited state reactivity using time-resolved spectroscopic techniques.

OSCAR-BLINQ is truly a Belgian collaboration, combining scientific expertise from both the federal, Flemish, and Walloon sides. The team is very proud to have been selected by the Belgian Science Policy to send their technology into space. Especially since the technology will travel with Belgian astronaut Raphaël Liégeois, who will attach the sensor to the ICE Cubes Facility of Space Application Services aboard the ISS.

Unique opportunities

“This project opens a new horizon for BIRA-IASB to take part in astrochemistry and, later, space biology study. The experience and results we have obtained will allow us to build expertise in new space activities in Belgium. Further, it will give us unique opportunities to participate in collaborations within Europe and the whole world and contribute to human space missions by providing a better understanding of biochemistry in the space environment,” concludes Anna Ermakova.

“I also see a significant educational impact from this project. Its highly interdisciplinary nature will attract strong interest from students. Since I am also a lecturer in the Master's in Materiomics program at Hasselt University, I look forward to inspiring a new generation of highly motivated young scientists," she added.

The launch of the mission to the ISS with astronaut Raphaël Liégeois and the diamond-based quantum sensor is scheduled for the end of 2026. Over six months, the sensor will carry out measurements in space, with live data being transmitted back to Earth for analysis. OSCAR-BLINQ stands for Optical Sensors based on CARbon materials - Belgian Light-Induced astrochemistry study using (Nano)diamond-based Quantum sensors.

More info:

• Prof. dr. Anna Ermakova (BIRA)
• Dr. Jaroslav Hrubý (Hasselt University)
• Prof. dr. Ludovic Troian-Gautier (UCLouvain)