TAMPA, Fla. — The White House has issued an executive order aiming to unify and accelerate U.S. development of quantum technologies, including space systems that could enable next-generation navigation, sensing and secure communications. The “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation” order, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump June 22, gives NASA 120 days to submit a five-year plan for “developing and extending civilian quantum sensing and networking for space applications.” Other agencies were also tasked with producing five-year plans to translate atomic-scale physics into federally backed research and applications. The order directs the Department of War to identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects within 60 days to prioritize for fielding by Sept. 30, 2028. It also establishes the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science effort, or QC-ADDS, to develop a quantum computer for scientific applications. “This national effort shall pursue development of a quantum computer at a scale intended to initiate the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery,” the order stated, “with the intent to deliver at least one such computer to a Department of Energy facility and, to the extent possible, make it available to the scientific community.” Trump also signed a separate executive order directing federal agencies to strengthen cryptographic protections for the country’s sensitive data, critical infrastructure and digital economy against threats posed by future quantum computers. Industry collaboration The executive orders came shortly after U.S.-based quantum technology firm Infleqtion announced America’s Quantum Space Initiative, an industry coalition aiming to advance demonstrations to operational capability. Founding partners include Voyager Technologies, Armada, Monarch Quantum and the University of Colorado Boulder. “Quantum is moving fast, and so is the competition,” said Matt Kinsella, Infleqtion’s CEO. “The science is proven and the systems are coming. We are grateful to President Trump for making American quantum