Infrastructure
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Satellites
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…
2018 – PNT Satellites Breakdown – Snapshot
Of the 146 PNT satellites in Earth orbit during 2018, 101 were operational, up 11% from 2017’s total of 91 operational PNT satellites. The U.S. maintained the highest share of…
2018 – PNT Satellites Mission Segment Breakdown – Snapshot
Like PNT deployments in previous years, the majority of the 27 PNT satellites deployed in 2018, 81% (21) were for military missions. Four satellites (15% of the total) were deployed…