OneWeb Technologies, Inc., a leader in secure commercial satellite communications (SATCOM), has announced the release of its Astra solution, which provides reliable LEO SATCOM connectivity and operational performance even when GPS or global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals are unavailable or compromised. Astra became commercially available earlier this month.
Astra is the first solution on the market to offer a packaged system with a software-defined outdoor receiver that accesses A-PNT broadcast services to strengthen connectivity resilience. It processes Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) signals from both GNSS and alternative sources, ensuring continuous connectivity and situational awareness, even in challenging environments with spectrum interference. This solution aligns with the military's Primary, Alternate, Contingency, Emergency (PACE) communications planning, offering essential options for mission resilience.
"Astra is a game-changer for defense users operating in difficult environments," said Kevin Steen, President and CEO of Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies. "Astra A-PNT ensures that mission-critical operations can continue seamlessly — enhancing both connectivity and situational performance — by providing a reliable alternative to traditional GPS/GNSS."
Key features of Astra include:
– Compatibility with non-GNSS A-PNT broadcast services, such as Iridium
– Identification of the optimal PNT source, producing an output signal compatible with the standard GPS L1 interface
– Enhanced PNT resilience in GNSS-challenged environments worldwide
