Xona to launch six satellites for centimetre-accurate navigation
Xona Space Systems is preparing to launch six satellites this month to establish a commercial alternative to GPS that offers more precise navigation and timing. Founded by five Stanford aerospace engineers, the company aims to disrupt government-controlled satellite positioning by providing centimetre-level accuracy compared to GPS's metre-level precision, alongside a stronger signal resistant to jamming that works indoors and in urban environments.
The SpaceX-launched satellites include four similar to a prototype tested last year and two newly designed by Xona to form the foundation of its planned 258-satellite "Pulsar" constellation. Unlike competing systems, Xona's signal is compatible with existing GPS receivers through simple software modifications, enabling faster market adoption. The company will begin beta testing with customers once the satellites achieve their operational orbits and can pass overhead mid-latitude locations approximately eight times daily.
- Xona launches commercial GPS alternative satellites this month with centimetre-level precision.
- Signal works indoors and resists jamming better than traditional GPS.
- Compatible with existing GPS receivers via software update.
New here? Start with this
Xona Space Systems is a company founded by aerospace engineers that aims to provide an alternative to GPS, the satellite navigation system most people use for directions. Unlike GPS, Xona's system is designed to offer significantly better precision—accurate to centimetres rather than metres—with a stronger signal that works indoors and in urban environments where traditional GPS often fails.
Navigation satellites have traditionally been controlled by governments, but in recent years private companies have begun developing more precise commercial alternatives. Xona's system is engineered to be compatible with existing GPS equipment through software updates, potentially enabling faster market adoption than entirely new systems would achieve. This precision advantage could prove valuable for applications requiring exact positioning, such as surveying and autonomous vehicles.
Business Companies Space Technology
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by TechCrunch as “Xona’s commercial GPS alternative is about to go live”.