LEO satellite constellations emerge as next-generation alternative to GPS

A new generation of low Earth orbit (LEO) navigation satellites is poised to complement—and in some applications outperform—traditional GPS, offering significantly stronger signals and improved positioning in challenging environments.

Unlike conventional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS, which operate from medium Earth orbit around 20,000km above the planet, LEO constellations orbit just a few hundred kilometres above Earth’s surface. Their proximity enables signals that can be up to 100 times stronger, improving positioning accuracy in dense urban areas, indoors, beneath tree cover, and in locations where GPS signals are easily blocked or degraded.  

One of the companies leading the effort is Xona Space Systems, which plans to deploy a constellation of 258 satellites under its Pulsar network. Rather than replacing GPS outright, the system is designed to work alongside existing GNSS infrastructure, providing an additional layer of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for commercial and industrial users.  

The stronger signals offered by LEO satellites could also improve resilience against GPS jamming and spoofing—issues that have become increasingly common in recent years across conflict zones and critical infrastructure sectors. Enhanced signal strength makes it more difficult for interference to disrupt navigation services while supporting applications that require greater precision, including autonomous vehicles, robotics, drones, and industrial automation.  

Interest in LEO-based positioning has grown alongside the rapid expansion of commercial satellite constellations. Advances in launch capabilities and lower satellite manufacturing costs have made it economically viable to revisit concepts that were once considered impractical. Several organisations are now exploring how LEO navigation can integrate with existing GNSS networks rather than compete directly with them.