QinetiQ and Xona Space Systems have completed the first U.K. trials of Xona’s Pulsar satellite navigation service, showing how low Earth orbit signals can enhance the resilience of traditional GPS.
QinetiQ said Friday the demonstration marks a milestone in advancing next-generation positioning, navigation and timing capabilities that counter jamming and spoofing while improving availability in congested or challenged environments.
The tests employed QinetiQ’s Q40 GNSS receiver, which can track multiple constellations across several frequencies. During the trial, the receiver acquired and tracked signals from Xona’s Pulsar-0 satellite, validating how LEO signals can supplement existing global navigation systems for stronger performance in weak-signal or contested areas.
Pulsar-0 and Constellation Plans
Pulsar-0, launched in June on SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission, is Xona’s first production-class satellite. It was designed to broadcast signals up to 100 times stronger than legacy GPS, with objectives including centimeter-level accuracy, resistance to spoofing and jamming, and greater coverage in obstructed environments such as urban canyons.
The company ultimately plans to deploy a constellation of 250 to 300 small satellites orbiting at about 525 kilometers altitude. In June, Xona secured $92 million in Series B funding plus a SpaceWERX STRATFI award, bringing its total capital above $150 million to accelerate deployment.
“Our Pulsar constellation is designed to deliver resilience and accuracy at a time when GNSS alone is no longer enough,” said Giorgio Taylor, director of business development for Xona in the U.K. and Europe.
GRAPE Project Collaboration
The U.K. trials followed a Q40 software upgrade developed under the European Space Agency’s Navigation Innovation and Support Program as part of the GRAPE project, short for GNSS Receiver with Advanced Pulsar Enhancement. GRAPE, supported by the UK Space Agency and ESA, is a collaboration between QinetiQ and Xona to integrate LEO-based signals with GNSS for improved resilience across defense, critical infrastructure and autonomous systems.
“For the first time, we have demonstrated how signals from new LEO satellites can be used alongside existing GNSS to give users stronger, more resilient timing and position information,” said Chris Walker, managing director of QinetiQ’s mission systems division. “This is a huge step in increasing the protection of our defense, critical infrastructure and future autonomous systems against interference.”