Resilient GPS satellite
A design for small GPS satellites built on Astranis's MicroGEO platform, meant to back up the U.S. GPS fleet with cheaper spacecraft that can be built and launched faster.
Why it matters
GPS underpins navigation, banking and power grids, and its signals can be jammed. The U.S. Space Force wants a cheaper, faster-to-build set of satellites that adds resilience to the existing GPS constellation.
How the technology works
Astranis proposes running GPS navigation and timing algorithms in software on its Octane software-defined radio, including the military M-Code signal. The Space Force program envisions a fleet of more than 20 small satellites, with the first eight targeted for launch by 2028.
Astranis's award covers concept design only.
Sources
Updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction