Xona Space Systems, a startup that licensed SRI technology, continues to advance position, navigation, and timing capabilities through low Earth orbit satellites.
GPS technology is sufficient for many everyday navigational needs. But in many defense and emerging commercial contexts, GPS isn’t enough. Terrain and interference, for example, can block GPS signals, creating problems for any platform that requires precise position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities.
To solve that problem, Xona Space Systems is developing the first satellite PNT infrastructure deployed in low Earth orbit. “The company’s planned low-Earth orbit constellation,” Axios reports, “is expected to augment existing GPS until it becomes a standalone source of information.”
“Xona’s low Earth orbit solution has real potential to both disrupt commercial markets and give the United States and its allies a substantial defensive edge.” — Peter Marcotullio
Xona’s founding team engaged with SRI’s technology ecosystem early in the company’s formation, including licensing software that informed their exploration of key system needs in their next-generation constellation. The company recently announced a $92 million Series B funding round led by Craft Ventures. This new funding follows closely on the launch of Xona’s Pulsar-0 satellite, the company’s first production-class satellite.
“We’re always thrilled when a cutting-edge commercial partner succeeds,” says Peter Marcotullio, SRI’s senior vice president of commercialization. “Xona’s low Earth orbit solution has real potential to both disrupt commercial markets and give the United States and its allies a substantial defensive edge.”
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