GPS World

Tag: low-Earth orbit (LEO)

  • Murata and Xona Space sign MOU on LEO satnav for industrial applications

    Murata and Xona Space sign MOU on LEO satnav for industrial applications

    Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd. and Xona Space Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve the accuracy and reliability of satellite PNT technologies.

    The companies will explore the potential to provide optimal products and solutions by combining Murata’s long-standing expertise in high-frequency and wireless communications, sensors, timing devices and module design with Xona’s advanced low-Earth-orbit (LEO)-based positioning and timing synchronization technologies.

    Benefit of LEO satellites

    Because LEO satellites orbit closer to Earth, they can deliver stronger signals to the ground, which improves signal reception in city centers and indoor environments. Their higher orbital speed compared with GNSS enables observation data in a shorter period of time, which enhances performance in urban areas via accelerated convergence times and reduction in multipath errors.

    Against this backdrop, technologies that combine satellites in different orbital layers, including LEO, are attracting attention as an approach to complement and strengthen the accuracy and reliability of PNT, with growing interest in their adoption for higher precision and enhanced resilience.

    The role of Pulsar

    Xona offers Pulsar, a PNT service based on a satellite network composed of a constellation of dedicated LEO satellites with significantly stronger signals than traditional GNSS systems. Pulsar is compatible with GNSS, enabling these enhanced capabilities to be integrated with typical GNSS user equipment in a way that complements and improves existing systems.

    As a purpose-built modern PNT service, Pulsar aims to achieve centimeter-level positioning accuracy, greater performance in urban areas, and enhanced resilience against jamming and spoofing.

    Previous venture and latest MOU

    Murata has previously invested in Xona through Wonderstone Ventures, Murata’s corporate venture capital arm. This initiative represents part of an ongoing collaboration built upon the existing relationship between the two companies.

    Based on this MOU, the two companies will explore the potential to provide optimal products and solutions by combining Murata’s long-standing expertise in high-frequency and wireless communications, sensors, timing devices, and module design with Xona’s advanced LEO-based PNT positioning and timing synchronization technologies, with the goal of realizing highly accurate and highly reliable positioning and timing synchronization.

    Looking ahead, the companies will evaluate potential applications in data centers and financial institutions that require highly accurate timing synchronization to support 5G/6G communications, as well as in off-road industries such as construction and agricultural machinery, where positioning needs are high in environments where GNSS is difficult to use.

    Through these efforts, the companies aim to enhance performance and create new solutions across various sectors.

  • 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.”

  • Safran’s Skydel simulator now supports Xona’s Pulsar LEO navigation signals

    Safran’s Skydel simulator now supports Xona’s Pulsar LEO navigation signals

    Safran Electronics & Defense‘s Skydel GNSS simulation platform is now fully certified to support simulation of Xona Space Systems’ low-Earth orbit positioning, navigation and timing (LEO-PNT) signal, Pulsar.

    According to the companies, this certification is the culmination of a rigorous multi-phase validation program jointly led by Safran and Xona engineering teams. It underscores Safran’s commitment to advancing robust, high-fidelity testing for next-generation LEO-PNT services. With this milestone, engineers can now use Skydel to evaluate Pulsar’s performance in environments that reflect real-world complexity, interference and operational demands.

    Skydel now simulates Xona’s Pulsar X1 signals, delivering centimeter-level precision, 100x signal strength and enhanced resilience — capabilities that Pulsar will soon bring to orbit.

    “With Skydel-powered simulators certified for Pulsar X1, our customers have more possibilities than ever,” said Pierre-Marie Le Veel, program director of PNT simulation at Safran Electronics & Defense. “They can test LEO and legacy constellations side by side, introduce complex interference, and explore entirely new scenario combinations — all from a single, flexible platform. This is a major step forward in enabling engineers to push the boundaries of GNSS testing.”

    Beyond accuracy, Skydel enables advanced resilience testing, including jamming, spoofing and other NAVWAR threats. Its modular, future-ready architecture ensures seamless integration of new Pulsar signal types and constellation updates, offering the agility needed to keep pace with the evolving LEO PNT landscape and demands for trusted, high-integrity PNT.

    “Validation is the bridge between innovation and trust,” said Tyler Reid, CTO of Xona. “By replicating Pulsar at full fidelity, Skydel empowers engineers to design and validate solutions for the most demanding navigation and timing challenges — without waiting for on-orbit availability.”

    Skydel’s certified Pulsar simulation capability is available now to partners and customers worldwide.

  • New satellite orbit determination method could boost navigation precision for future mega-constellations

    New satellite orbit determination method could boost navigation precision for future mega-constellations

    The rotation-corrected integrated POD method holds significant promise for global navigation augmentation, autonomous LEO-based navigation systems, and real-time positioning services.

    Modern satellite constellations such as OneWeb, Starlink and CENTISPACE promise global communications and navigation capabilities using low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations. However, their precise orbit determination (POD) requires dense ground station networks — costly and often limited by geopolitical or geographical constraints.

    Inter-satellite links (ISLs) help reduce ground dependence but suffer from “rotational unobservability,” where the entire constellation drifts in orientation due to the lack of an absolute spatial reference. Existing fixes often require additional infrastructure or high-quality GNSS products, which increase latency and operational complexity.

    Because of these challenges, a more autonomous, low-latency approach that leverages existing onboard capabilities is needed to ensure reliable, high-accuracy orbits for mega-constellations.

    Wuhan University researchers have developed and validated a rotation-corrected integrated POD method that fuses ISL measurements with onboard BeiDou-3 (BDS-3) GNSS observations. Published (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-025-00175-8) in Satellite Navigation on Aug. 4, the study demonstrates how the technique simultaneously estimates the orbits of LEO and BDS-3 medium-Earth-orbit (MEO) satellites, corrects systematic rotation using BDS-3 broadcast ephemerides, and achieves centimeter-level precision.

    The approach significantly reduces reliance on ground stations, making it well-suited for real-time applications in large-scale LEO constellations, the researchers said.

    The team simulated a 66-satellite LEO constellation equipped with ISLs and onboard BDS-3 receivers, alongside 24 real BDS-3 MEO satellites. Two processing strategies were tested: using BDS-3 data from all LEOs, and from only a subset. In both cases, ISL and GNSS data were jointly processed to form a unified high–low constellation.

    Due to internal-only measurements, the initial solutions exhibited significant systematic rotation — up to 40 cm cross-track error for LEOs and over 1 meter for MEOs.

    This innovation could become a cornerstone technology for integrating LEO constellations with existing GNSS systems to enhance global navigation and timing performance.

    The researchers derived rotation angles between the integrated POD coordinate frame and the BeiDou Coordinate System implied in broadcast ephemerides, then applied a Helmert transformation to correct the orbits. After correction, LEO along-track and cross-track errors dropped from 22.7 cm and 39.3 cm to 1.3 cm and 4.2 cm, respectively. MEO errors fell from over 1.2 m to about 13 cm.

    Even when only 36 of 66 LEOs carried GNSS receivers, ISL connectivity propagated the correction across the constellation with minimal accuracy loss. Tests also examined the influence of predicted Earth rotation parameters and residual errors in broadcast ephemerides.

    “This method tackles one of the most stubborn issues in autonomous constellation orbit determination — systematic rotation caused by the lack of absolute spatial reference,” said Kecai Jiang, corresponding author of the study. “By harnessing readily available BDS-3 broadcast ephemerides and inter-satellite measurements, we can deliver centimeter-level precision without waiting for post-processed GNSS products or building extensive ground networks. This approach is not only efficient but also scalable, paving the way for real-time, high-accuracy navigation services in future mega-constellations.”

    The rotation-corrected integrated POD method holds significant promise for global navigation augmentation, autonomous LEO-based navigation systems, and real-time positioning services. By dramatically reducing reliance on ground infrastructure, it enables resilient operations in remote or geopolitically constrained regions. Its scalability makes it suitable for next-generation satellite constellations supporting broadband internet, disaster response, and precision agriculture, the researchers said.

    Moreover, the ability to achieve near-uniform accuracy across all satellites — even when only part of the constellation carries GNSS receivers — lowers hardware requirements and operational costs. This innovation could become a cornerstone technology for integrating LEO constellations with existing GNSS systems to enhance global navigation and timing performance.

  • Xona secures first customers to modernize precision timekeeping

    Xona secures first customers to modernize precision timekeeping

    Xona has reached three new commercial agreements with precision timing innovators Hoptroff, Fibrolan and Timebeat, marking its official entry into the precision timekeeping and synchronization market. These partnerships seek to enable end users to leverage Xona’s Pulsar satellites to provide independent, secure, and resilient timing infrastructure amid mounting global complexity and risk.

    Satellite navigation provides far more than positioning — it’s the world’s most accurate source of globally synchronized time signals underpinning nearly every critical system, including:

    • Emergency response coordination
    • Real-time power grid balancing
    • Transportation network resilience
    • Fair and trustworthy global financial trading
    • 5G network synchronization
    • Data center efficiency and security

    As infrastructure becomes more connected and distributed, timing is the backbone of data governance— determining who holds critical data, when it was held and for how long. A single second lost or spoofed can erode trust across every facet of daily life.

    Broadcasting nanosecond-level accurate time from low-Earth orbit, Pulsar provides a new alternative to vulnerable GNSS-based systems. With built-in authentication, secure signals, and up to 100x received  power of legacy GNSS, Pulsar ensures reliable reception even in low-rise buildings and urban environments — all without requiring specialized hardware, according to the company.

    “This is an important milestone — proof that next-generation satellite technology is no longer just promising innovation, but solving real, urgent problems today.” said Jay Wakenshaw, COO of Xona. “Seeing market leaders like Hoptroff, Fibrolan, and TimeBeat adopt Pulsar validates that there’s a genuine need and significant demand for what we’re bringing to market.”

    Pulsar testing and demonstrations in real-world environments will continue through this year and into early next year, with active field deployments planned from late 2026.

    “Our customers in critical national infrastructure rely on precision timing to keep their operations secure, compliant, and efficient.” said Tim Richards, CEO of Hoptroff. “The low-Earth orbit Ssatellite system provided by Xona will add additional redundancy to our global timing network, and complements our existing terrestrial timing infrastructure which is essential for next gen applications particularly in these uncertain times.”

    “We’re always seeking innovative alternatives to GNSS — because the future of timing depends on it.” said Shamir Stein, CEO of Fibrolan. “Pulsar is exactly the kind of breakthrough our industry needs: a powerful, dependable solution that will allow us to continue delivering simple, robust, and hassle-free timing to our partners and customers.”

  • GMV to develop collision avoidance service for LEO constellations

    GMV to develop collision avoidance service for LEO constellations

    The rapid growth of satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO), the risk of orbital collisions is rising at an unprecedented rate. The increasing amount of space debris — ranging from active satellites to defunct assets and debris — poses serious challenges for operators striving to maintain the safety and sustainability of their missions. As daily data volumes grow and conjunction warnings become more frequent, the space community faces pressure to adopt more advanced and reliable collision avoidance solutions.

    In response to these growing challenges, the European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded GMV a research and development contract under the ARTES Core Competitiveness program, aimed at improving collision avoidance services for large telecommunications constellations. The initiative will focus on developing advanced capabilities for FOCUSOC NXTGEN, a platform designed to deliver faster and more accurate collision risk assessments by using diverse data sources and enhanced response strategies.

    As part of the project, a conjunction assessment center will be established in the United Kingdom to expand support for satellite operators both domestically and internationally. The new system architecture aims to handle higher volumes of data and provide scalable performance to match the needs of next-generation constellations, potentially exceeding 1,000 satellites per constellation.

    FOCUSOC NXTGEN incorporates several features, including a dedicated database for trend analysis, a maneuver testing environment grounded in flight dynamics, API integration for efficient operations, and a redundant infrastructure to ensure continuous service availability. The system seeks to filter out false positives from daily orbital data, identify genuine threats more accurately, and deliver timely recommendations to operators for effective maneuver planning.

    The service is set for launch in summer 2026 in coordination with industry partners. ESA officials note that enhancing orbital collision avoidance technologies will be crucial to maintaining safe and sustainable operations as satellite numbers continue to rise.

    ESA’s ARTES Core Competitiveness program provides funding and expertise to strengthen the satellite communications sector across Europe and Canada. The program supports both technology development and efforts to bring innovative products and services to market.

  • Xona satellite begins tests for commercial LEO navigation

    Xona satellite begins tests for commercial LEO navigation

    Xona Space Systems’ Pulsar-0 satellite, the company’s first production-class asset for a commercial navigation constellation, is now operational and undergoing in-orbit testing. Launched in March 2024 on SpaceX’s Transporter-10 mission, Pulsar-0 is designed to assess the performance of Xona’s Pulsar architecture, which aims to provide high-accuracy, resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services from low-Earth orbit (LEO).

    According to Xona, Pulsar-0 is transmitting LEO-based PNT signals using a payload built to support signal authentication and increased resilience against interference — capabilities that have become more important as concerns about vulnerabilities in traditional GNSS systems grow. The system’s encrypted and authenticated signals are intended to mitigate risks from jamming and spoofing, and deliver stronger, more reliable service in environments where legacy GPS may be degraded.

    Xona’s Pulsar constellation is being developed as a commercial complement to GNSS, offering centimeter-level accuracy and greater resistance to interference through modernized signal design and LEO deployment. The company reports that its initial signal waveforms are already being used by select government and commercial partners for prototyping and validation.

    Pulsar-0’s technical objectives include:

    • High-precision GNSS corrections: Real-time correction data from LEO, targeting position accuracy within 10 cm.
    • Signal authentication: Cryptographically verifiable signals to reduce the risk of spoofing.
    • Jamming resistance: A signal strength up to 100 times greater than GPS, enhancing reliability in contested or congested radio frequency environments.
    • Stronger signals: Stronger signals designed to perform in obstructed locations, such as indoors or in dense urban areas.

    The Pulsar-0 mission is primarily focused on validating Xona’s core technology and enabling live sky testing with early partners, paving the way for future launches and eventual commercial operations. The company aims to launch a constellation of hundreds of satellites to provide persistent, redundant PNT coverage for sectors including defense, logistics, mining and autonomous systems.

    Further details on Pulsar-0’s performance are expected as data collection and testing continue throughout the year.

  • Rocket Lab to launch ESA’s first LEO-PNT navigation satellites

    Rocket Lab to launch ESA’s first LEO-PNT navigation satellites

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Rocket Lab Corporation to launch a dedicated Electron mission, marking the first time the company will deploy satellites for ESA’s next-generation navigation constellation, low-Earth orbit positioning, navigation and timing (LEO-PNT). Thales Alenia Space and GMV, two European satellite prime contractors, are providing the “Pathfinder A” spacecraft for the mission. Rocket Lab plans to launch the satellites from Launch Complex 1 no earlier than December 2025.

    The mission will place the two satellites in a 510 km LEO to test a new method of delivering location, direction and timing services from satellites in low orbit, known as LEO-PNT. ESA will use this demonstration to evaluate how a low Earth orbit satellite fleet can work with the Galileo and EGNOS constellations, which provide Europe’s global navigation system from higher orbits.

    This contract highlights Rocket Lab’s growing role as a launch provider for European constellation operators and demonstrates the Electron rocket’s strong reputation. Earlier this year, Rocket Lab deployed a full constellation of IoT satellites for French operator Kinéis and launched a global wildfire detection mission for Germany-based OroraTech. Since 2021, Rocket Lab has supported European satellite operators with Electron missions

  • TrustPoint launches third low-Earth orbit satellite

    TrustPoint launches third low-Earth orbit satellite

    TrustPoint, a company specializing in next-generation space-based positioning and navigation solutions, launched and made initial contact with its third free-flying satellite, Time Flies. The satellite was launched June 23 aboard a rideshare mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This achievement marks another step forward in TrustPoint’s efforts to provide positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) services from low-Earth orbit (LEO).

    Time Flies is TrustPoint’s third satellite launch in two years and incorporates significant technological improvements, including increased power and autonomy. These advancements enhance the company’s compact C-band payload, which is designed to support demonstrations and further field testing of TrustPoint-enabled receivers. These receivers are currently being developed in collaboration with the company’s expanding group of product partners.

    “With the successful launch and first contact of Time Flies, TrustPoint continues to prove that a commercial GPS alternative from LEO is not only possible, it’s here,” said Patrick Shannon, founder and CEO of TrustPoint. “As global demand for alternative and complementary PNT systems accelerates, TrustPoint is uniquely positioned to unlock significant market potential.”

    The Time Flies mission builds on the company’s previous launches, It’s About Time and Time We’ll Tell, and highlights TrustPoint’s continued focus on performance and autonomy to meet both commercial and national security requirements. The mission is supported by an all-U.S. team, reflecting the collaboration and expertise behind TrustPoint’s ongoing initiatives.

  • Xona Space Systems, Trimble to deliver advanced navigation services

    Xona Space Systems, Trimble to deliver advanced navigation services

    Xona Space Systems and Trimble have collaborated to integrate Trimble correction services with Xona’s PULSAR high-performance navigation service.

    Initial satellite launches are expected in late 2026 with service starting in 2027 through the PULSAR satellite network, enabling secure, high-precision positioning for applications ranging from geospatial to low-power mass mobile and IoT. In support of this new and developing collaboration, Xona has received an investment from Trimble Ventures.

    Xona PULSAR, powered by Xona’s planned network of small satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO), is being developed to deliver robust and secure high-precision positioning and navigation services directly to current GNSS hardware. The PULSAR service, which will include high precision correction services through this collaboration, has the potential to provide scalable, cost-effective solutions for industries with demanding positioning and navigation requirements, such as civil construction, surveying and mapping, and automotive and IoT applications. Xona’s signals are also expected to enable operations inside low-rise buildings, as well as improve resistance to jamming and interference compared to current GNSS capabilities.

    Precision positioning solutions from LEO constellations are intended to provide new enhanced capabilities along with high levels of uptime to meet the rapidly evolving needs of industries around the world. Including Trimble correction services with Xona PULSAR is expected to enhance the reliability of Trimble correction services delivery, which is crucial for users in areas without reliable cell coverage, limited sky visibility environments, including high-latitude regions and other challenging geographies.

  • ESA to develop optical PNT technology

    ESA to develop optical PNT technology

    The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with a consortium of European companies to conduct a definition study (Phase A/B1) and associated critical technology predevelopment to drive the development of optical positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technology.

    This initiative marks the initial phase toward a potential in-orbit demonstrator for optical time synchronization and ranging, which is scheduled for proposal at the ESA Council at the Ministerial Level in November. According to ESA, the primary objective is to validate inter-satellite optical links for future implementation in operational satellite navigation systems.

    Optical technology presents promising advancements in navigation accuracy and robustness. While optical links, which use laser beams for data transmission, are already established in satellite communications, their application in navigation requires further technological development and in-orbit validation.

    The consortium, led by German OHB System, comprises 33 companies from various ESA member states. Following the initial study, the next phase would involve developing and testing the technology in orbit to validate novel system concepts and explore new architectures. The results will assess the readiness of optical technology and inform decision-makers about its potential incorporation into future operational systems.

    Laser-based technology offers the potential for enhanced system resilience and robustness, potentially reducing dependence on space atomic clocks and ground segments. Optical links also provide natural immunity to jamming and spoofing attempts.

    The high data transfer rates of inter-satellite optical links could enable new, more robust architectures, supporting a multi-layer system approach to navigation. This aligns with the vision of ESA’s low-Earth orbit (LEO)-PNT program.

    Additionally, optical systems can significantly improve the performance of current navigation systems. Experts anticipate achieving millimeter-level spatial accuracy and picosecond-level timing, which could ultimately lead to enhanced services benefiting billions of users worldwide.

  • Australia and India advance resilient PNT

    Australia and India advance resilient PNT

    Skykraft, an Australian space technology company, has signed a participating project partner agreement to advance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems in low-Earth orbit (LEO). This agreement, backed by an International Space Investment (ISI) India Projects grant from the Australian Government, marks a significant milestone in fostering space cooperation between Australia and India.

    The project’s primary objective is to develop and demonstrate collaborative PNT systems. This includes establishing the viability of large-scale LEO constellations, addressing vulnerabilities in existing GNSS in denied environments, and exploring novel applications for PNT signals from LEO. Additionally, the project aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for collaborative LEO-PNT by implementing resilient, easily updatable constellations.

    The project also seeks to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities through GNSS-reflectometry (GNSS-R) and radio occultation (GNSS-RO) technologies. This will improve understanding of Earth’s oceans, droughts, and floods while enhancing real-time space and terrestrial weather forecasting. It will explore emerging applications, such as tsunami monitoring and warning systems.