Key facts
- Xona Space Systems is preparing to launch six satellites this month to offer a commercial alternative to GPS.
- The company's Pulsar constellation aims to provide centimeter-level precision, an improvement over GPS's meter-level precision.
- Xona's signals are designed to be receivable by existing GPS receivers with a simple software modification.
- The Pulsar signal is intended to be strong enough to deter jamming and spoofing.
- Xona has raised over $300 million from venture investors, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force.
Xona Space Systems is on the verge of launching its first six satellites this month, aiming to introduce a commercial alternative to government-operated GPS. The company's technology promises enhanced precision and signal strength, designed to be compatible with existing GPS receivers through a software update.
Founded in 2019 by engineers from Stanford University, Xona believes its Pulsar constellation can disrupt the de facto government monopoly on navigation and timing services. CEO Brian Manning acknowledged initial skepticism about competing with the free GPS service but identified a significant market for improved hardware performance.
Xona has developed a unique satellite architecture that avoids expensive onboard atomic clocks, relying instead on proximity to Earth and ground-based references for accurate timing. The company also focused on ensuring its signals could be received by current GPS devices, facilitating market entry and regulatory navigation.
The upcoming launch includes four satellites similar to a successful prototype and two new satellites built entirely by Xona, which will form the basis of its planned 258-satellite Pulsar constellation. This system aims to offer centimeter-level geolocation precision, compared to GPS's meter-level, with a signal robust enough for indoor and urban environments, and potentially resistant to jamming and spoofing.
Beta testing with customers like TimeBeat, a company specializing in electronic timing, is expected to begin once the satellites are operational. Xona aims for full coverage in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea by 2028. The company has secured over $300 million in venture funding, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force, highlighting government interest amid increasing threats to satellite navigation services.