GPS World

Category: Space & Earth

  • NASA awards PlanetiQ contract for commercial satellite data acquisition

    NASA awards PlanetiQ contract for commercial satellite data acquisition

    NASA has awarded PlanetiQ an expanded contract through its Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, broadening access to commercial satellite data for the scientific community.

    The contract expands PlanetiQ’s CSDA portfolio to add high-SNR GNSS polarimetric radio-occultation data to PlanetiQ’s existing NASA CSDA offerings of ionospheric scintillation, ionospheric total electron content, and high-SNR GNSS radio-occultation data.

    The expanded data offering will provide government researchers with access to advanced GNSS observations that can help improve the understanding of precipitation processes, atmospheric structure, and Earth system dynamics.

    Polarized radio occultation (PRO) measurements have demonstrated the ability to characterize precipitation, detect rain and snowfall structure, identify melting layers, and observe variations in storm intensity. PlanetiQ uses a unique receiver to collect data with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). High-SNR measurements are particularly important for precipitation applications because increased SNR improves sensitivity to lighter precipitation and certain cloud structures.

    “By making polarized radio occultation data available through the CSDA program, NASA is enabling a broader research community to investigate new applications for these observations,” said E. Robert Kursinski, chief scientist, PlanetiQ. “As more researchers gain access to high-SNR PRO data, we expect both the scientific understanding and the potential operational uses of the technology for precipitation and severe weather monitoring to expand.”

    PlanetiQ’s GNSS-PRO measurements are acquired using high-rate, high-SNR receivers that enhance the detection of precipitation signatures and cloud structures. In addition to supporting atmospheric science research, these measurements are critical for operational applications related to rainfall characterization, snowfall detection, storm monitoring, and weather forecasting.

    Researchers interested in learning more about GNSS-PRO and precipitation sensing can watch PlanetiQ’s recent webinar.

  • Precise acoustic seafloor positioning described in new research paper

    Precise acoustic seafloor positioning described in new research paper

    Incorporating a layered horizontal gradient structure can improve GNSS-Acoustic (GNSS-A) seafloor positioning, according to a new research paper in the April 20 issue of Satellite Navigation.

    GNSS-A integrates satellite positioning of a sea-surface platform with underwater acoustic ranging to achieve seafloor positioning accuracy at centimeter level. This technique supports the construction of seafloor geodetic observation networks, improves the oceanic component of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), and provides a key means for monitoring tectonic deformation and related submarine geohazards.

    However, the accuracy of GNSS-A seafloor positioning is affected by spatiotemporal variability in the ocean sound speed field. The conventional depth-invariant horizontal sound speed gradient models represent the water-column sound speed structure using a single effective depth-averaged gradient, which cannot adequately describe the vertical heterogeneity of horizontal gradients and therefore introduce model errors and positioning biases.

    To address this issue, the authors propose a layered sound-speed gradient model and a corresponding joint inversion framework for precise GNSS-A seafloor positioning.

    The proposed method parameterizes horizontal sound-speed gradients in multiple depth layers and couples adjacent layers through depth-weighted interlayer continuity constraints, which jointly estimates seafloor transponder coordinates, the depth-invariant temporal perturbation, and layer-wise horizontal gradients.

    Results of simulations

    Simulation results under depth-dependent horizontal gradient scenarios show that the conventional single-layer model introduces systematic positioning biases, whereas the proposed layered model significantly improves positioning accuracy, accurately estimates the temporal perturbation and layer-wise horizontal gradients, and is robust for a broad range of layering configurations and constraint parameters.

    Field experiments using real GNSS-A observations further demonstrate the practical value of the proposed method, with results showing that the proposed approach improves the fitting of acoustic observations, maintains short-term repeatability, and yields consistent multi-epoch coordinate time series together with reasonable site-velocity estimates.

    These findings indicate that incorporating a layered horizontal gradient structure can improve GNSS-A seafloor positioning and provides an interpretable modeling and inversion framework for long-term seafloor deformation monitoring and characterization of ocean environmental variability.

    “Precise acoustic seafloor positioning with joint estimation of sound speed field structure using a layered sound speed gradient model,” by Yang, W., Xu, T., Wang, J. et al, can be downloaded from Springer’s website.

  • Finnish Skyfora raises €6.5M to turn GNSS telecom into real-time weather sensors

    Finnish Skyfora raises €6.5M to turn GNSS telecom into real-time weather sensors

    Skyfora, a Finnish weather data company building a new global data layer for weather and AI, has raised €6.5 million to transform GNSS telecom infrastructure into a real-time atmospheric sensing network.

    The funding comes as demand for high-resolution weather data surges, driven by AI forecasting models, climate volatility, and the growing need for weather-resilient operations.

    GNSS metrology system

    Traditional weather forecasting relies on sparse networks of expensive ground stations, weather balloons, and radar systems — methods that leave vast gaps in coverage, particularly in urban areas and developing regions. Instead, Skyfora combines atmospheric physics, advanced signal processing, and artificial intelligence to extract weather intelligence from GNSS data.

    GNSS meteorology turns every GNSS receiver into a weather sensor. The more receivers in an area, the higher the resolution of atmospheric data achievable.

    GNSS signals traveling through the atmosphere are delayed by water vapor. By measuring these delays from multiple satellites and ground stations, Skyfora can create detailed 3D maps of atmospheric moisture — a critical input for weather forecasting.

    Once the atmospheric data is captured and reconstructed, the system uses AI and high-performance computing to turn it into accurate, actionable forecasts.

    Using existing GNSS receivers

    Skyfora’s core technology uses GNSS receivers already installed in telecom networks, complemented by StreamGNSS hardware where telecom GNSS is not available, to measure atmospheric humidity with high precision and frequency. The GNSS signal delays are processed into real-time weather data streams that power next-generation AI weather models and forecasting systems, enabling more accurate, earlier, and hyperlocal predictions.

    The company’s approach addresses a structural bottleneck in weather forecasting: most of the world’s atmosphere remains underobserved, and existing observation infrastructure cannot provide the data coverage and resolution required by modern AI models. Skyfora’s solution scales using existing infrastructure, requiring no new hardware at telecom sites.

    Skyfora operates active deployments across multiple countries, working with telecom operators, meteorological institutions, forecasting partners and weather-affected industries to build out real-time atmospheric sensing on a global scale.

    Latest capital round partners

    The new capital will be used to accelerate the commercial scale-up of Skyfora’s software platform and atmospheric data products, expand partnerships with telecom operators, forecasting providers, meteorological institutions and weather-affected industries, and grow the team. The primary focus is on scaling deployment and market adoption: bringing Skyfora’s real-time data, API and atmospheric intelligence dashboard to market.

    The round includes equity participation from Eviny Ventures, Ugly Duckling Ventures, Lumo Labs and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund, alongside non-dilutive funding from Business Finland.

    The company is actively working to deploy datasets and customer opportunities across several countries in Europe, the United States, Africa and the Middle East.

  • Todd Humphreys: Russian satellites a cause of GNSS jamming across Europe

    Todd Humphreys: Russian satellites a cause of GNSS jamming across Europe

    Russian satellites have caused GPS outages of as long as 10 seconds across Europe, according to a new research paper, authored in part by GNSS expert Todd Humphreys.

    Humphreys is head of the Radionavigation Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin. Separate research by Richard Bowden at Spanish company GMV supports the findings, according to The New York Times.

    In at least three of 75 instances identified since 2019, the interference originated from as many as three Russian satellites. The other cases implicate the same Russian early-warning network; though data is insufficient to pinpoint the source, the same type of signal was identified.

    Whether Russia knows of the interference — and its motives — is unknown, but the signals disrupt GPS, Galileo and BeiDou, and not Russia’s own GLONASS. The press office for the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C. told The Times it had no comment.

    The paper, “Chasing Lightning: Detecting, Characterizing, and Identifying a Powerful Space-Based GNSS Interference Source” by Zachary L. Clements, Argyris Kriezis and Todd E. Humphreys, can be accessed here.

    The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the GNSS interference phenomenon: wide-area transient interference from a space-based source causing up to 10-dB GNSS degradation across Europe since 2019 in the L1 band. The interference’s spatial, temporal and spectral properties are detailed. The researchers designed a framework to detect events using 1-Hz carrier-to-noise ratio observables from a network of 165 reference stations.

    The three satellites implicated in the interference are part of Russia’s Edinaya Kosmicheskaya Sistema (EKS) constellation, which detects missile launches and nuclear explosions around the world. The first instance of this widespread jamming was recorded in October 2019, a month after the first EKS satellite was launched.

    These cases are among the first known examples of GPS interference originating from space. Two historic cases of satellite interference were caused by technical glitches.

  • U-blox GNSS tech powers telescope array searching for alien life

    U-blox GNSS tech powers telescope array searching for alien life

    The PANOSETI project achieves sub-nanosecond synchronization without fiber infrastructure using u-blox ZED-F9T 

    The u-blox ZED-F9T high-precision GNSS receiver is enabling sub-nanosecond synchronization in an advanced telescope array used in optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) research. 

    The results have been achieved for the SETI program called PANOSETI (Pulsed All-sky Near-infrared Optical SETI), a multi-institutional scientific initiative where precise time synchronization across distributed telescope arrays is critical. Institutions involved include the University of California Berkeley, UC San Diego, Harvard and Caltech.

    Discovery at unprecedented scale

    PANOSETI is designed to detect fast-transient optical and near-infrared signals across the entire observable sky, with the goal of identifying potential technological signatures or astrophysical phenomena. Achieving this requires extremely precise time synchronization between widely distributed telescope nodes.

    Traditionally, such synchronization depends on fiber-based systems such as White Rabbit, which can be costly and impractical to deploy in remote observatory locations.

    By leveraging GNSS-based differential timing with the u-blox ZED-F9T, the PANOSETI team demonstrated:

    • ~0.7 nanosecond standard deviation between 1PPS signals over a 1 km baseline 
    • Improved performance down to ~200 picoseconds using filtering techniques 

    This level of accuracy meets, and in some cases exceeds, the requirements for next-generation distributed sensing systems.

    Precision timing without constraints

    Credit: U-blox
    Credit: U-blox

    The results highlight a key benefit of GNSS-based timing: high-precision timing can be achieved in environments where fiber infrastructure is unavailable, impractical or excessively costly.

    These results show the capabilities that GNSS timing offers, not only for scientific research, but also for a range of other emerging applications, such as distributed sensor networks, remote timing systems and resilience of critical infrastructure, also in remote locations.

    Collaboration driving innovation

    “Achieving this level of synchronization without fiber is a significant step forward for distributed instrumentation,” said Dan Werthimer, chief scientist of the PANOSETI project at UC Berkeley. “It allows us to achieve the timing precision we need for our telescope array in locations where traditional fiber-based systems are not feasible.”

    “At u-blox, we are excited to support PANOSETI in their search for extraterrestrial intelligence,” said Samuli Pietilä, Director of Product Line Management, Timing and Infrastructure. “GNSS timing is used across many industries, but none quite like the advanced optical telescopes that PANOSETI is deploying.”

    The ability to move from physically-based precision synchronization to resilient GNSS solutions unlocks the potential for distributed sensor networks.

  • EUSPA launches new EU Space Market Report, strong GNSS growth predicted

    EUSPA launches new EU Space Market Report, strong GNSS growth predicted

    A new edition of the European Union’s Space Market Report is now available. According to the EU’s Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), it offers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments, emerging trends, and market dynamics shaping the global space downstream sector.

    The report provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and trends in GNSS, as well as Earth observation (EO), secure satellite communications (Secure SATCOM), and space situational awareness (SSA) in one place for the first time. It also highlights the evolution of user technologies and the growing synergies between these domains.

    “As Europe’s space capabilities become increasingly interconnected, it is essential to move beyond viewing them as standalone technologies,” explained Rodrigo da Costa, EUSPA executive director. The publication “reflects the growing synergies between these domains and their strategic importance for Europe’s economy, resilience and autonomy.

    “By providing a comprehensive view of the evolving space ecosystem, EUSPA aims to foster innovation, strengthen collaboration across the sector, and support the development of a more competitive, agile and responsive European Union space economy,” da Costa said.

    GNSS and EO

    The report highlights sustained growth for both the GNSS and EO markets across all 16 analyzed market segments. The current €3.5 billion of EO market revenue in 2024 is expected to grow to €7.9 billion by 2034 with agriculture representing the largest share.

    GNSS revenues are forecast to rise from €300 billion in 2024 to €580 billion by 2034. GNSS service revenues outpace device revenues and confirm the increasing role of digital ecosystems and value-added services in the space economy, the report said.

    Revenues are mainly driven by consumer solutions, and road and automotive, with a global installed base of GNSS-enabled devices that will reach almost 10 billion by 2034.

    Secure SATCOM

    The Secure SATCOM market addresses the needs of surveillance, key infrastructure and crisis management. In this sector, data service revenues generated by EU users are forecast to grow significantly, increasing from more than €200 million in 2025 to nearly €1.2 billion by 2040.

    While maritime surveillance drives demand in 2025, by 2040 the market is expected to be led by law enforcement interventions, civil protection and force deployment, fueled by growing security and resilience needs, demand for reliable connectivity, and stronger crisis-response capabilities.

    Existing and future synergies

    The report also examines how major macroeconomic trends —including climate change, geopolitical instability and rapid urbanization — are reshaping space markets and strengthening synergies between EO, GNSS and Secure SATCOM technologies. Together, these capabilities are becoming increasingly important for security, resilience, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and smarter urban and infrastructure management.

    Download the EU Space Market Report.

  • ArkEdge Space study examines system for non-GNSS LEO PNT

    ArkEdge Space study examines system for non-GNSS LEO PNT

    ArkEdge Space Inc. has completed a study commissioned by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on “Elemental Technologies and Systems for a Dedicated, GNSS-Independent LEO-PNT Satellite System.”

    Positioning, navigation and timing derived from GNSS is increasingly subject to interruption and interference, both through environmental and security challenges. Finding methods to protect PNT information against such interference is of paramount importance for governments and commercial actors alike.

    The ArkEdge/JAXA project addressed such challenges by examining and categorizing the necessary elemental technologies — signal design, receiver technology, ground infrastructure, satellite sensors, and the overall system architecture — required to realize a LEO-PNT system capable of providing PNT without reliance on traditional GNSS.

    The study’s focus included achieving satellite orbit determination and time synchronization without GNSS, one of the key challenges facing alternative PNT providers. It explored a new architecture for onboard time determination that avoids the need for large atomic clocks. Instead of onboard clocks, the system transmits precise timing information from combinations of ground-based reference clocks, pseudolites and inter-satellite optical links to disseminate information and enable on-orbit ODTS.

    Concept art of the LEO-PNT satellite constellation. (Credit: ArkEdge Space)
    Concept art of the LEO-PNT satellite constellation. (Credit: ArkEdge Space)

    The study considered diverse frequencies to strengthen anti-jamming measures. It also looked at novel signal design, receivers, encryption and signal authentication methods, and their suitability for LEO-PNT satellites. Results of the study will contribute to the next stage of development for a GNSS-independent LEO-PNT concept.

    “This study is critical to advancing our understanding of Japan’s future relationship with PNT,” said ArkEdge Space Chief Strategy Officer Tomoaki Yasuda. “Across the world, users are facing denial of GNSS services, and that can have critical consequences for sectors including the economy, transport and emergency services, among others. We look forward to progressing the GNSS-independent LEO-PNT concept with the support of our partners.”

    “Due to the prevalence of GNSS interference, alternative PNT systems are becoming increasingly important to protect users and assets such as critical national infrastructure,” said Masaya Murata, JAXA. “Following the successful conclusion of this GNSS-independent LEO-PNT study with ArkEdge Space, our investigation into a robust and resilient LEO-PNT system continues. We are also emphasizing international cooperation with other LEO-PNT providers to maximize users’ PNT experience and continue to engage in collaborative discussions.”

  • Intuitive Machines to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station and COMSAT

    Intuitive Machines to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station and COMSAT

    The addition of 44 antennas to Intuitive Machines’ network is expected to enhance support for customers’ GEO missions and accelerate progress toward Moon base and deep-space operations.

    Intuitive Machines Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd., a deep-space communications provider with major ground station assets in the United Kingdom and Goonhilly USA Inc. (dba COMSAT).

    Goonhilly is a provider of lunar and deep space communications services. Since becoming the first commercial provider of these services in 2021, Goonhilly has supported more than 20 missions for space agencies NASA and ESA and private exploration companies, including Intuitive Machines and ispace, representing a vital UK contribution to the international space sector.

    In 2024 and 2025, the company played a critical role in Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 and IM-2 lunar missions.

    The acquisition will include the Goonhilly Lunar and Deep Space Communications, Commercial Satcom and Defense and Security divisions. It significantly expands global ground-station resources and capacity on Intuitive Machines’ integrated space-to-ground network.

    Upon completion of the proposed acquisition, the expanded network is expected to deliver communications, data transport and position, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities for sustained lunar and cislunar operations.

    Goonhilly’s and COMSAT’s civil, commercial and government customers are expected to complement Intuitive Machines’ existing customer base and broaden the Company’s reach into adjacent industries. Upon completion of the acquisition, its strategic UK location will expand visibility across major Earth‑viewing arcs, increasing contact opportunities for lunar and deep‑space missions. With deep expertise in antenna planning, scheduling and station maintenance, Goonhilly’s ground station assets and competencies strengthen Intuitive Machines’ ability to deliver end‑to‑end mission support.

    “Customers have been clear that they want a single, integrated, and resilient solution for their communications and PNT needs as they accelerate missions at an unprecedented pace,” said Steve Altemus, co‑founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines. “Our partners of integrated space‑to‑ground network are configured to support missions across LEO, lunar and cislunar environments through a single source for communications, PNT and data transport. Goonhilly will provide the backbone for this network, scales our global ground presence and will bring a strategic core competency to the Intuitive Machines team.”

    The Intuitive Machines space-to-ground network combines a lunar data-relay constellation with a global ground segment to maintain persistent line-of-sight communications with the Moon. Goonhilly is expected to enhance this architecture with deep space assets, including the GHY6 32-meter antenna, the cryogenically cooled GHY3 30-meter antenna, and multiband support across X-band, S-band, and Ka-/Ku-band. This will give customers greater flexibility in mission design and more options for communicating with spacecraft throughout lunar and deep space operations.

    “Goonhilly has spent years building a world class deep space communications capability,” said Kenn Herskind. Executive Chairman of Goonhilly. “Joining Intuitive Machines will allow us to scale that capability globally and directly support the next era of lunar exploration. Together, we will be creating a commercial lunar communications network that is interoperable, resilient, and ready to support Artemis and international missions.”

    The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, including under the UK National Security and Investment Act 2021 and from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

  • UK scientists unite to map southwest coast seabed

    UK scientists unite to map southwest coast seabed

    The UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM) will undertake a seabed mapping survey – CSM2026 – to explore and map the seabed along the UK’s southwest coastline.

    The research survey takes place between April 20 and May 19. It consists of two survey legs, starting in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and ending in Falmouth, Cornwall. Throughout the four-week survey, using cutting‑edge survey technology deployed from the Research Vessel Cefas Endeavour, a team of 26 scientists from across the field of maritime research began collecting vital hydrographic, geological and environmental data when they set sail from Lowestoft next week.

    The survey represents an unprecedented level of collaboration within the maritime sector. By combining skills and capabilities in a single survey, the team aim to secure data to deliver the UK government’s commitments and make advances in how the seabed is mapped, understood and managed.

    UK CSM includes more than 30 public sector organizations commited to collect and share high-quality marine data. For the coastline mapping project, the 11 involved are the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA); the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO); British Geological Survey (BGS); Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas); Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), The Crown Estate; Historic England; Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC); Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland (AFBI); Natural England and the Royal Navy.

    Over the course of the survey, the scientists on board will have the opportunity to work with experts from other public sector organizations, share skills, and source key seabed mapping data that supports a wide range of applications including offshore energy and infrastructure, marine ecosystem science, safety at sea, marine policy, and defense.

  • GNSS reveals fourfold turbulence during Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf melt

    GNSS reveals fourfold turbulence during Antarctica’s Ross Ice Shelf melt

    Observations suggest a major melting event at the Ross Ice Shelf was connected to atmospheric turbulence.

    The Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica typically melts on its underside as warmer ocean water flows beneath. But in January 2016, an unusual melting episode occurred on its topside.

    A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Haystack Observatory used data from existing GNSS stations, in conjunction with 13 stations installed on shelf, to examine the turbulent state of the atmosphere. Key were delay differences at each station and between stations that showed the strength (or rockiness) of atmospheric turbulence over the ice shelf.

    Wind, water vapor, and temperature variations drawn in by warm and humid air caused the surface to melt, with turbulence four times greater than usual during the 2016 surface melting event.

    The study also demonstrated a novel application of the GNSS station data to remotely observe unusual atmospheric conditions.

    The open-access study was published Feb. 27 in Geophysical Research Letters.

  • PlanetiQ awarded $15M US Air Force contract for GNSS-RO weather data

    PlanetiQ awarded $15M US Air Force contract for GNSS-RO weather data

    PlanetiQ has been awarded a $15 million, 48-month Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract by the U.S. Air Force. The program will support the development and launch of spacecraft equipped with next-generation GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) and GNSS polarimetric radio occultation (GNSS-PRO) instruments and the delivery of high-value weather data to the U.S. Air Force.

    The mission will focus on advancing GNSS-RO, GNSS-PRO and GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) capabilities. The program includes the development of advanced data assimilation techniques to integrate enhanced GNSS-PRO data into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, improving forecast accuracy and enabling new insights into atmospheric conditions.

    After spacecraft commissioning, PlanetiQ will provide on-orbit data delivery during the contract period. This will support multiple applications across the Department of the Air Force, including artificial intelligence (AI) model training, data assimilation, and performance evaluation.

    As the largest commercial provider of GNSS-RO data, PlanetiQ operates a global constellation of satellites, including spacecraft equipped with advanced receivers capable of capturing high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) GNSS-RO and GNSS-PRO measurements. GNSS-PRO has demonstrated strong efficacy for measuring precipitation, a key capability for improving severe weather forecasting.

    This STRATFI award will enable the development of a next-generation receiver that adds GNSS-R capabilities, supporting new applications such as ocean surface wind measurement, sea state characterization, and soil moisture monitoring over land.

    “This award represents a major step forward in delivering more advanced, actionable weather information to the warfighter,” said Ira Scharf, CEO of PlanetiQ. “By combining GNSS-RO, PRO and R measurements in a single platform, we are unlocking a more complete picture of the atmosphere and Earth’s surface. We are proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force to accelerate these capabilities and bring next-generation environmental data into operational use.”

  • Advanced GNSS ionospheric sensor sent into orbit

    Advanced GNSS ionospheric sensor sent into orbit

    The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has successfully launched the GNSS Orbiting Situational Awareness Sensor (GOSAS), one of three advanced experimental payloads.

    GOSAS was aboard the Space Test Program’s (STP) Satellite-7, which launched at 4:33 a.m. PDT on April 7 from VandenbergU.S. Space Force (USSF) Base, California.

    The other payloads are the Lasersheet Anomaly Resolution andDebris Observation (LARADO) instrument and the Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG) Radiation Instrument (GARI-1C).

    GOSAS will improve the reliability of navigation and communication systems for warfighters.

    “The GOSAS is a CubeSat-compatible, programmable dual GPS receiver designed to characterize the orbital GNSS environment and produce high-quality ionospheric space weather products,” said Scott Budzien, PhD, NRL research physicist and GOSAS principal investigator. “Understanding and predicting space weather is critical for ensuring the accuracy of GPS and the integrity of military communications.”

    GOSAS is a follow-on to the NRL experiment GROUP-C (GPS Radio Occultation and Ultraviolet Photometry-Collocated) experiment on the International Space Station that took place 2017-2023 and serendipitously detected GPS ground interference.

    GOSAS originated in 2020 with the mission of increasing GPS accuracy for the warfighter.