Throws Hat In Ring To Complement DoD Service

SpaceX sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission stating its Starlink constellation of satellites can provide a viable complement the Department of Defense’s GPS service by offering to deliver Positioning, Navigation, and Timing, or PNT, solutions alongside its broadband internet offerings.

In its letter, SpaceX said, “As the Commission identifies specific actions to contribute to the whole-of-government PNT system resilience effort, one opportunity stands out as a particularly ripe, low-hanging fruit: facilitating the rapid deployment of next-generation low-Earth orbit (‘LEO’) satellite constellations that can deliver PNT as a service alongside high-speed, low-latency broadband and ubiquitous mobile connectivity.”

SpaceX noted its ongoing work to integrate PNT into its cellular Starling service, expected to launch in conjunction with T-Mobile in July.

The private commercial space company also said its Starlink satellites already operate separately and independently from GPS, which strengthens the case for having another resilient PNT delivery platform across authorized frequencies.

The letter continued, “SpaceX has also been actively working to integrate PNT solutions into its direct-to-device commercial service offerings. In so doing, SpaceX can advance the Commission’s goal in this proceeding to maintain American leadership in next-generation PNT services both here at home and in over 130 countries it serves around the world.

“SpaceX looks forward to playing an integral role in creating a more robust, resilient, and secure PNT ecosystem for Americans and people around the world,” SpaceX concluded.

SpaceX faces competition in this space from Globalstar, who noted that its satellites transmit outside of the L-band, providing PNT users with additional immunity from GPS jamming and spoofing.

FMI:  www.spacex.com/