A startup named Xona Space Systems is set to launch six satellites this month, marking the debut of a precise commercial alternative to GPS.
While challenging the global norm of free navigation signals provided by governments, Xona aims to create a competitive navigation and timing service that breaks the hold government-operated systems have on this sector.
Founded in 2019 by a group of five engineers from Stanford University’s aerospace engineering program, Xona’s team includes Tyler Reid, who earned a PhD studying how low-earth orbit satellites could enhance navigation.
Though GPS and other satellite systems from Europe, China, and Russia offer considerable benefits, they are often vulnerable to interference and lack the precision needed for advanced technologies like autonomous vehicles and farming robots. Over casual discussions, the group contemplated whether addressing these gaps could present a viable business opportunity.
“Initially, I thought this was a crazy idea,” said Brian Manning, CEO of Xona, in a recent conversation. “GPS is a free service, so why would anyone try to replace it? But as I researched, it became clear that while GPS may appear free, the market consists of the hardware which is sold at billions of units annually – there is a massive demand for improved performance.”
Creating a stronger GPS alternative involves significant technical hurdles, especially ensuring more accurate timing and location data. The team has devised an innovative system that allows satellites to determine time without relying on costly atomic clocks, utilizing their closeness to Earth and their ability to communicate with ground-based references.
Additionally, they designed the signals to be compatible with existing GPS receivers through minor software updates, facilitating easier market entry while navigating regulatory challenges associated with signal broadcasting.
Later this month, a SpaceX rocket is slated to deploy six new satellites for Xona. Four will be similar to a prototype successfully launched last year, while two will be custom-built by the company at its Burlingame, California facility, forming part of Xona’s operational constellation, called Pulsar, which will eventually comprise 258 satellites.
Pulsar is designed to deliver centimeter-level accuracy in geolocation, a significant improvement over GPS’s meter-level precision, and its signal can penetrate buildings and city environments effectively. Manning is confident that it will also fortify against jammers and spoofers.
Once in orbit, Xona can initiate beta testing of Pulsar with customers, as the satellites will pass over mid-latitude locations approximately eight times daily.
Ian Gough, CEO of TimeBeat, an electronic timing specialist, stated that the pilot program will enable his engineers to validate and adjust the timing of their devices globally. Xona aims for complete coverage in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea by 2028.
Having secured over $300 million in funding, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force, Xona is primarily focused on commercial opportunities, though the U.S. government is clearly interested as potential satellite jamming and spoofing becomes more commonplace in military conflicts.
Xona’s vision encompasses billions of users, with a particular emphasis on enhancing the future of autonomous technologies. Reid, who contributed to the founding concept and now serves as the CTO, previously worked on self-driving cars at Ford and recognizes that solutions like Pulsar will be essential in unlocking the full potential of autonomy in various sectors.
At their headquarters, which overlooks San Francisco International Airport, Manning reflects on the safety standards in civil aviation and believes that Xona’s innovations could significantly boost safety for users, ensuring that drivers could feel as secure in autonomous vehicles as they do aboard passenger planes.
