SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS various. In a letter to the Federal Communications Fee (FCC), SpaceX acknowledged that it may leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) options.
GPS has been run by means of a single supplier in america, the Protection Division. The FCC intends to make use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) options to enhance GPS applied sciences. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to ship PNT companies alongside its broadband choices in its letter to the FCC.
“Because the Fee identifies particular actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one alternative stands out as a very ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the speedy deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite tv for pc constellations that may ship PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous cell connectivity,” SpaceX wrote.
SpaceX additionally emphasised its ongoing work to combine PNT into its mobile Starlink service, which is anticipated to be launched with T-Cellular in July. The personal area supplier additionally acknowledged that Starlink satellites already function independently of GPS. This lays the groundwork for resilient PNT supply throughout approved frequencies, SpaceX famous in its letter.
“SpaceX has additionally been actively working to combine PNT options into its direct-to-device industrial service choices. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Fee’s objective on this continuing to take care of American management in next-generation PNT companies each right here at residence and in over 130 nations it serves all over the world.
“SpaceX appears ahead to taking part in an integral position in making a extra strong, resilient, and safe PNT ecosystem for People and other people all over the world,” SpaceX famous.
SpaceX additionally advocated for a “technology-neutral method” to GPS options in its letter, whereas critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for cell satellite tv for pc companies. In the meantime, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite tv for pc supplier, additionally pitched its companies as a GPS complement, stating that its companies “can perform as both another or a complement to GPS.”
“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit outdoors of the L-band, which offers PNT customers with added immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing. As well as, Globalstar’s satellite tv for pc transmissions at 2.4GHz are stronger than GPS indicators, bolstering resilience, efficiency, and reliability,” GlobalStar famous.
SpaceX’s letter to the FCC might be seen under.
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