Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
The payload will augment existing GNSS constellations with additional navigation signals from LEO, while relying on GNSS for orbit determination and time synchronization.
By Inside GNSS
In a recent demonstration, a StarNav receiver yielded 20 cm positioning precision from a cold start using simulated Xona PULSAR signals.
By Renee Knight
Low-power GNSS chipset solutions provider etherWhere has partnered with Xona Space Systems to develop a receiver that tracks Xona’s multi-frequency PULSAR signal. PULSAR, a next-generation position, navigation, and timing (PNT) service, is provided by a constellation of small, powerful low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that are 20 times closer to Earth than existing GPS.
By Inside GNSS
Xona Space Systems is now working with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the U.S. Space Force to accelerate the development of its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) architecture that leverages the company’s PULSAR service.
By Inside GNSS
The European Space Agency (ESA) low Earth orbit (LEO)-PNT satellite program, approved at last year’s (2022) ESA ministerial conference, will soon begin testing a mini-constellation of at least ten satellites, placed in orbit some hundreds of kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Conventional GNSS systems, like those used by Europe’s Galileo program, utilize medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, about 23,000 kilometers from Earth.
By Peter Gutierrez
Safran Electronics & Defense and Terran Orbital announced at last week’s Paris Air Show that they have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to study and validate the prerequisites for the production of a new generation of electric propulsion systems for satellites in the United States, based on Safran’s PPSX00 plasma thruster.
By Inside GNSS
Low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations offer a new avenue for assuring PNT. With satellites closer to the Earth, they provide stronger signals and improved positioning accuracy with rapidly changing geometry. They complement GNSS resiliency, security and precision for PNT, making LEO an attractive alternative PNT option for the industry to pursue.
By Inside GNSS
The Spirent simulator emulates Xona navigation signals and enables robust, accurate testing before full satellite constellation deployment
By Inside GNSS
Because of its vulnerabilities to spoofing and jamming, critical infrastructure can no longer rely on GNSS alone for PNT. Alternative sources must be part of the equation, which is why Adtran recently partnered with Satelles to add Satellite Time and Location (STL) capabilities to its Oscilloquartz synchronization products.
By Renee Knight
Through a new partnership, Orolia, a Safran Electronics & Defense company, will develop support for Xona Space Systems’ Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) constellation and navigation signals in its Skydel-powered simulation and testing products. Xona is developing PULSAR, a high-performance PNT service enabled by a commercial constellation of dedicated LEO satellites.
By Inside GNSS
Through recent test results, Satellite Time and Location (STL) from Satelles, a globally available alternative PNT service from low Earth orbit (LEO), has again proven to be a reliable timing source.
By Inside GNSS
Up-and-coming Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab offers high-performance, low earth orbit (LEO) satellite platforms that can accommodate various payload types, including for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) applications.
By Peter Gutierrez
As interest in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites grows, so has the need for accurate modeling of the environment for precise, realistic GNSS/PNT testing. This, however, is a difficult task. LEO satellites are much closer to the Earth than MEO satellites, and that means they must endure different gravitational and atmospheric impacts that are difficult to replicate in a lab.
By Renee Knight
Sputnik launched the satellite age 65 years ago and now swarms of constellations orbit the Earth, delivering new navigation and communications capabilities and services. Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are the next step in space-based innovation, but what are the steps necessary to make LEO positioning a reality?
By Inside GNSS
With the new SimORBIT high-accuracy orbital modeling software from Spirent, developers can now calculate LEO orbits and their characteristics for more precise GNSS/PNT testing.
By Inside GNSS
