A Technical Overview of Current “New Space” LEO-PNT Initiatives and Their Application Potential

The current satellite Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) landscape is evolving rapidly. This is characterized by a shift from governmental initiatives to private enterprises. These “New Space” initiatives aim to improve PNT performance beyond the current state-of-the-art by implementing new technical advancements. This technical innovation and the resulting application potential are the central focus of this paper. In this paper, we compare the current “New Space” PNT initiatives and their progress toward creating an operational system. Furthermore, we analyze the proposed satellite constellations and their communication system. Focussing on, Pulsar, Centispace, Future Mobility, and Satellite Time and Location (STL). This technical analysis encompasses constellation design and resulting Dilution of Precision (DOP), frequency allocation, space segment lifetime, accuracy, availability, authentication, indoor coverage, and encryption. Afterward, their specifications are evaluated and compared against specific application needs. More specifically, focusing on the requirements of autonomous driving, pedestrian tracking, first responders, and the maritime sector. By reviewing the progress of these “New Space” initiatives in leveraging technological advancements to address application requirements, this study uncovers the evolving PNT landscape for diverse application domains.