The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has awarded contracts worth more £2-million to six UK companies and UK-based subsidiary companies of international groups to develop options for the UKSA’s Space-Based Positioning, Navigation and Timing programme (Space-Based PNT programme). The companies are Airbus, CGI, GMV NSL, Inmarsat, QinetiQ and Sirrus Analysis.

“The UK is critically dependent on position, navigation and timing information from satellite navigation systems in transport, communications, energy distribution, and emergency response,” explained UKSA CEO Ian Annett. “This initial funding will help us design options for a new system to support our critical national infrastructure, whilst growing the space sector, boosting our economic growth and making daily life more secure for people everywhere in the UK.”

The UK Space-Based PNT programme was initiated last October. It is seeking to develop innovative approaches to create a space PNT capability for the country.

PNT services are provided by satellite navigation systems. They have become essential to modern life and economic activity. In the UK, they are crucial enablers for national security, defence and transport. PNT signals will also likely become important elements in the employment of future technologies such as smart cities and autonomous vehicles.

The contracts will cover the development of system design and operation, algorithms and signals, assurance, resilience and cost modelling for the Space-Based PNT programme. Later this year the UKSA will advise the British government on the space-based solution options to increase the country’s PNT resilience.

The programme would increase the country’s impendence from foreign satellite navigation systems. In addition to its direct benefits, the programme is also expected to give additional impetus to the country’s space industry.