SpaceX is positioning its Starlink constellation as a viable GPS different. In a letter to the Federal Communications Fee (FCC), SpaceX acknowledged that it might leverage Starlink satellites for next-generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) options.
GPS has been run by a single supplier in the US, the Protection Division. The FCC intends to make use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) options to enrich GPS applied sciences. In its letter, SpaceX highlighted Starlink’s potential to ship PNT providers 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 fast 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 predicted 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 licensed frequencies, SpaceX famous in its letter.
“SpaceX has additionally been actively working to combine PNT options into its direct-to-device business service choices. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Fee’s objective on this continuing to keep up American management in next-generation PNT providers each right here at dwelling and in over 130 international locations 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 Individuals and folks all over the world,” SpaceX famous.
SpaceX additionally advocated for a “technology-neutral strategy” to GPS alternate options in its letter, whereas critiquing EchoStar’s unused 2GHz spectrum for cell satellite tv for pc providers. In the meantime, Globalstar, Apple’s satellite tv for pc supplier, additionally pitched its providers as a GPS complement, stating that its providers “can perform as both an alternate or a complement to GPS.”
“Notably, Globalstar’s satellites transmit exterior of the L-band, which gives 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 alerts, bolstering resilience, efficiency, and reliability,” GlobalStar famous.
SpaceX’s letter to the FCC may be considered under.
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