Japan to declare independence from GPS – Location Business News

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May 13, 2023

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Written by Editor

Image: Govt of Japan

What’s New: Japan is increasing the number of its regional navigation satellites from 4 to either 7 or 11. Either way will allow users positioning, navigation, and timing independently from GPS.

Why It’s Important:

Nations are concerned GPS may be disrupted by cyber, physical, or other attack. Many are looking for alternatives.
This kind of project boosts a nation’s space-oriented and overall tech economy.

What Isn’t Clear Yet:

How much added resilience this will give Japan and other users. Their system, QZSS, is now used to augment GPS and uses the same frequencies.
The total number of satellites planned. Multiple press reports say 11. The official webpage says 7. The goal is to have at least 4 over Japan at any given time to enable an independent navigational solution in three dimensions.

Japan Plans to Increase QZSS Satellites From Four to 11

Kevin Dennehy

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May 11, 2023

What Can YOU Do? How Can YOU Help?

PNT is the quiet backbone of everything but too many leaders still don't see the risk.

But you do. You understand the systems, the dependencies, the failure chains. That insight is rare — and it's exactly what your country needs right now. Contact your government leaders and industry decision-makers and tell them resilient PNT isn't a feature — it's the foundation everything else depends on.

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