Xona Space Systems is developing a precision positioning, navigation and timing constellation for low-Earth orbit, called Pulsar. Credit: Xona Space Systems
SAN FRANCISCO – Xona, the Silicon Valley startup establishing Pulsar, a precision positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) constellation, announced a high-profile roster of partners developing compatible equipment.
Xona unveiled the Pulsar Verified program July 9, which gives partners including Trimble, Septentrio, STMicroelectronics, Safran, StarNav and Keysight, a technical path to validate the compatibility of receivers and simulation equipment with the low-Earth orbit PNT constellation.
“Satellites tend to get all the attention because satellites are cool,” Xona CEO Brian Manning told SpaceNews. “Everyone tends to forget the satellites are pointless unless user equipment can pick up and use the service.”
Xona has been working for years with industry partners including the largest commercial manufacturers of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) chipsets “to accelerate the transition to LEO navigation within the trusted channels that people already get GNSS equipment from today,” Tyler Reid, Xona co-founder and chief technology officer, said in a July 9 blog.
