Xona Space Systems is set to launch six satellites this month, marking the debut of its commercial navigation service. The company aims to provide a high-precision alternative to GPS, capable of centimeter-level accuracy and signal reception in dense urban environments or indoors.
The startup, founded in 2019, has developed a unique architecture that maintains precise timing without expensive onboard atomic clocks by utilizing proximity to Earth and constant ground-based synchronization. The system is designed to be compatible with existing GPS receivers through simple software updates.
The upcoming launch includes four satellites based on Aerospace Labs platforms and two units manufactured in-house at Xona’s Burlingame headquarters. These will serve as the foundation for the future Pulsar constellation, which is planned to consist of 258 satellites.
Beta testing with clients is expected to begin once the satellites reach orbit and pass over mid-latitudes roughly eight times per day. By 2028, the company aims to provide full coverage for the United States, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
To date, Xona has secured over $300 million in venture funding, including $20 million from the U.S. Space Force. The technology is intended to support autonomous vehicles and robotics, offering protection against signal jamming and spoofing.
