The Emergence of Quantum Computing: Intellectual Property, Partnerships, and the Aerospace Sector

Quantum computing - the use of quantum phenomena to create a new form of computing - has been gaining intense interest and investment in recent years from the academic, government, and industry sectors for numerous applications, including astrophysics and aerospace. Several federally funded quantum computing research centers and programs targeted for space applications are active in universities and NASA space centers, as the space environment of low gravity, low temperature, and vacuum pressure are uniquely useful in space. In order to move toward commercial applications, important legal and business issues must be addressed, including the patentability of quantum computing, data ownership and protection, partnering, and private financial incentives. This paper provides a general overview of quantum computing and its potential applications in aerospace and astrophysics, with a focus on partnering, patentability, protection of data, and sponsored research implications between government, academia and industry.