# Xona Prepares Pulsar Navigation Beta

Xona Space Systems plans to start beta testing its Pulsar precision navigation and timing service after six satellites launch on a SpaceX rocket later in October 2026. Xona says Pulsar is designed to deliver centimeter-level positioning and stronger signals than GPS. The U.S. Space Force has reportedly invested **$20 million** in the company, and Xona targets full coverage in the United States and several international markets by 2028.

- Government buyers and defense contractors can assess whether Pulsar’s stated positioning and signal capabilities address mission needs where GPS performance or resilience is a concern; the signal does not identify an open procurement or solicitation.
- Space-sector suppliers may find opportunities in satellite launch, platforms, and services as the constellation develops, though the reported investment should not be treated as a contract award.
- Organizations interested in evaluating the service can use the planned beta as a potential opportunity to assess capabilities, with broader coverage targeted for 2028.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Space Force (USSF)

### Vendors
- Xona Space Systems (Recipient of reported U.S. Space Force investment)
- SpaceX (Planned launch provider)
- Aerospace Labs (Satellite platform provider)

### Key Quotes
> People think of GPS as a free service, but the market isn’t the service. The market’s the hardware, and you have billions of devices being sold every year; those things aren’t being given away for free. There’s an immense market that is desperately looking for better performance.
> — Brian Manning, CEO of Xona Space Systems

### Sources
- [Xona's commercial GPS alternative is about to go live | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/09/xonas-commercial-gps-alternative-is-about-to-go-live) - TechCrunch