Xona Space Systems to launch new low-Earth orbit navigation satellites

Xona Space Systems is preparing to introduce a new generation of navigation satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO), aiming to offer significantly improved positioning services. The company's first six production satellites are scheduled for launch in October 2026, with initial services expected to begin in 2027.

Once the full constellation of 258 Pulsar satellites is operational in the coming years, Xona claims customers will be able to pinpoint their locations with centimeter-level accuracy anywhere on Earth. These LEO satellites are expected to deliver signal strength up to 100 times greater than current GPS and other global navigation systems operating at higher altitudes.

The enhanced signal power is intended to enable more accurate positioning in dense urban environments, under thick foliage, and even indoors – areas where GPS signals often degrade or are lost. Adrien Perkins, Xona's co-founder and VP of engineering, highlighted that the higher power also helps in resisting interference, which has become an increasing issue for aviation, maritime shipping, and smartphone applications.

The technology aims to provide a more reliable and precise positioning solution, competing with existing and emerging satellite navigation systems. The use of LEO satellites could introduce new possibilities for applications requiring high accuracy and continuous availability.