LEO-PNT

The LEO-PNT (Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing) programme will demonstrate the potential of positioning, navigation and timing in low Earth orbit. Its first mission will feature a small constellation of demonstration satellites that will fly close to Earth to test the use of novel signals and frequency bands, unlocking exceptional resilience, accuracy and speed in navigation that will enable a long list of new applications and services.

The constellation will assess how a low-Earth orbit constellation could work in combination with Galileo and other global navigation satellite systems in a multi-layer approach. This ‘system of systems’ architecture will allow to overcome vulnerabilities of existing GNSS in medium Earth orbit such as natural phenomena impairments and interferences, and provide services to places where today’s satnav systems cannot reach, like polar regions, deep urban areas and even indoor.

LEO-PNT's first mission will also demonstrate the capability of a LEO navigation constellation to monitor Galileo and EGNOS from space.

Another objective of this mission is to demonstrate the interoperability of PNT with open communication standards, including 5G/6G, opening the door to new applications for Internet-of-Things, emergency services and low latency data for positioning and timing.

The applications of a navigation constellation in low Earth orbit range from transportation including automotive, autonomous vehicles, rail and maritime and digital mobility in general, critical infrastructure, mobile devices, asset tracking or indoor.