Infrastructure
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Satellites
Infrastructure: Spacecraft Overview – TSRQ2 2020
TSR20-Q2-Infrastructure Section examines global spacecraft/satellite operations conducted throughout the three space sectors, military, civil government, and commercial. This edition covers communication, PNT, and Earth observation/remote sensing satellites, along with major…
Infrastructure: Spacecraft Overview – TSRQ1 2019
Infrastructure: Spacecraft Overview - TSRQ1 2019 examines global spacecraft/satellite operations conducted throughout the three space sectors, military, civil government, and commercial. This edition covers communication, PNT, and Earth observation/remote sensing…
2018 – Galileo Ground Networks – Snapshot
Responsibility for the operation of the Galileo constellation’s ground system moved in 2018 from the European Space Agency (ESA) to the European Global Navigation Satellite System (EGNSS) Agency (GSA). The…
2018 – GPS Ground Networks – Snapshot
In 2018, the USAF continued GPS operations with ground equipment that is decades old. The number of command and control antennas (which the USAF uses to send GPS satellite commands…
2018 – Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) – Snapshot
Japan’s Cabinet Office continues to operate all four satellites of QZSS (also known as Michibiki), the country’s PNT constellation. QZSS is a regional PNT system solely catering to Japan’s population.…
2018 – Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) – Snapshot
India launched one Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) satellite to complete its Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) in 2018. This new satellite brings the number of operational IRNSS satellites…
2018 – Global Positioning System (GPS) – Snapshot
The U.S. maintained 31 operational GPS satellites during 2018, the same number operational during 2017. While that number of operational satellites is seven more than the minimum number of GPS…
2018 – Global Navigation Satellites System (GLONASS) – Snapshot
For 2018, Russia maintained its 2017 number of operational GLONASS PNT satellites, 24; these satellites are also known as Uragan. However, because China and the EU/ESA increased their overall numbers…
2018 – Galileo – Snapshot
In contrast to the PNT systems operated by other nations (except Japan), two European civil government organizations (the EU) and the ESA) share acquisition, management and operation of the Galileo…
2018 – BeiDou/CentiSpace – Snapshot
Of all the nations deploying and operating PNT satellites in 2018, China was the busiest. At the beginning of 2018, the nation’s PNT system, known as BeiDou (Compass), consisted of…