Exciting changes in satellite navigation are on the horizon. A 150‐kilogram satellite is set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 14, signalling a fresh start for Xona Space Systems’ Pulsar constellation. Instead of relying solely on the US Global Positioning System (GPS), Xona is gearing up to deploy 258 satellites in low Earth orbit, delivering signals up to 100 times stronger than traditional GPS. According to CTO and cofounder Tyler Reid, this boost should make jamming much tougher.
Since GPS began in 1993, it’s served as a reliable foundation for everything from navigation to financial transactions. Yet, if you’ve ever struggled with spotty signals, you know that interference can be a real headache. The issue has grown more pressing amid technological shifts and geopolitical tensions—cases in point being the conflict in Ukraine, where GPS jamming became a tactical tool. Xona’s founders, Reid and Brian Manning, first honed in on enhancing autonomous vehicle navigation, only to realise that refined satellite navigation has much broader benefits.
Traditional GPS satellites orbit from about 12,550 miles away, making their signals vulnerable to interference. Xona’s plan is different: by positioning satellites much closer to Earth, they can deliver stronger and more accurate signals. Advances in technology and reduced launch costs have made this approach not only possible but practical, drawing inspiration from the rise of low Earth orbit networks like Starlink.
As global tensions simmer, the need for solid GPS alternatives becomes ever more crucial. In Ukraine, disruptions have impacted military operations, while neighbouring countries such as Finland and Estonia have seen civilian infrastructure affected by similar issues. Space security expert Clémence Poirier points out that the ease of acquiring GPS jammers poses widespread risks.
Xona isn’t alone in tackling these challenges. Companies like Anello Photonics and Advanced Navigation are exploring inertial navigation, and Safran is investigating ways to distribute positioning data over optical fibres. Even industry players like TrustPoint—and projects linked to SpaceX’s Starlink—are keeping a close eye on these emerging trends, which speaks volumes about the promise of satellite-based systems.
With a system designed to work alongside existing GPS technology, Xona is preparing to test its resilience against jamming with the upcoming launch of Pulsar-0. If all goes well, this initiative could pave the way for further deployments, ushering in a future where satellite navigation is not only more reliable but also more robust by 2030.
