Xona is set to bring its commercial GPS alternative online this month
Six satellites will let the company begin beta testing Pulsar with real customers and move closer to wider coverage.
Xona Space Systems is preparing to put its first commercial GPS alternative into service this month, with a SpaceX launch carrying six satellites that will let the startup start beta testing Pulsar. The system is aimed at higher-precision navigation and timing than GPS, with centimeter-level positioning, indoor and urban reception, and compatibility with existing GPS receivers after a software change. Xona says its 258-satellite Pulsar constellation is designed to reach full coverage in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea by 2028. The company has raised just over $300 million since 2019, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force, and is targeting customers in autonomy, aviation, and timing.
Why it matters
For users that need more precise positioning and timing, Pulsar is moving from a launch plan to a service they can start testing. Its ability to work indoors and in cities, plus compatibility with current GPS receivers after a software change, could make adoption easier for customers already built around GPS. The launch also marks a step toward Xona’s plan for broader coverage by 2028.
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Sources
- TechCrunch