Space PNT
PNT stands for Positioning, Navigation and Timing. The UK Space Agency utilises European Space Agency (ESA) navigation programmes, as well as national programmes, to develop capabilities and growth outlined in the framework and supporting the National PNT Office.
In October 2023, the previous administration published the framework for Greater PNT Resilience to guide the government’s work on PNT. It sets out the current and future focus for PNT policy to improve PNT resilience across the National Infrastructure (NI) and wider economy, and drive growth. Following the publication of the framework, the National PNT Office was set up in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The office is responsible for PNT policy, coordination, and delivery and works across government to improve PNT resilience and drive growth.
For the UK specifically, PNT is of strategic national importance. The country’s economy, defence, transport, and communications all depend on resilient and accurate PNT services. The National Risk Register (2025 edition, HMG) identifies PNT disruption as a major threat to national resilience, warning that even short-term outages may result in cascading failures across critical infrastructure, disrupt financial transactions, delay logistics and supply chains, and cause widespread productivity losses. The financial repercussions of a significant loss or disruption of PNT services in the UK would be severe and far-reaching. Studies by London Economics estimate the economic value loss due to a GNSS outage for 7-days in the UK at over £7bn, underscoring the vital importance of maintaining resilient PNT capabilities.
As the UK seeks to harness innovation and maintain security in an increasingly digital world, robust PNT systems are vital to sustaining critical infrastructure, supporting technological advancements, and ensuring national autonomy in navigation and timing services. This is especially significant in a global context where reliance on international satellite navigation systems could pose vulnerabilities. As such, the UK is investing in innovation and collaboration in the PNT domain, both to safeguard national interests and to remain at the forefront of technological progress.
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In 2025, the UK subscribed £57m to ESA Navigation programmes to support UK industry developing the next generation of PNT products, services and applications.
The primary mechanism for funding support from the UK Space Agency is through ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support programme (NavISP).
ESA’s Navigation Programmes
ESA is a multinational organisation dedicated to the advancement of Europe’s space capabilities, fostering collaboration in scientific research, technology development, and the practical application of space-based services. ESA’s overarching goals are to support innovation, ensure the competitiveness of European industries, and strengthen the continent’s autonomy in strategic areas such as satellite navigation and Earth observation.
The UK, in 2016, proposed the ESA Navigation Innovation and Support Programme, which was adopted by Council that same year. Today there are 2 main programmes focussed on navigation: the Navigation Innovation Support Programme (NavISP) and FutureNav. Both encapsulate multiple projects and funding frameworks.
About NavISP
The UK subscribed €53million to the NAVISP (Navigation Innovation and Support Programme) to strengthen the UK’s capabilities in satellite navigation and related services. NAVISP is a commercially driven programme designed to support UK businesses in developing cutting-edge technologies, products, and services. The programme can cover development of components, systems, or services, and any aspect or combination of space, ground, or user segments.
You can apply for ESA NAVISP Support and funding through one of our three Elements:
Building Innovation - Competitive Tenders– Element 1
You submit your proposal in response to one of ESA’s regular open competitions. These are directed at a specific problem or opportunity identified by ESA. Competitive tenders are open for a limited time. Each application received is assessed in competition with other proposal applications. Element 1 focuses on early-stage technology and research which does not have easy routes to commercialisation, including paper studies. This generally means very low technology-readiness-level (TRL) more akin to fundamental science.
Competitiveness in PNT - Open Call for Proposals – Element 2
You propose your ideas directly to ESA, setting out the opportunity you wish to pursue. These applications will each be assessed on their own value. Element 2 is focused on accelerating growth by targeting commercially promising projects that are approaching market readiness. Refer to the ESA website for details on funding available for different types of organisations.
Support to Member States -– Element 3
Two routes are possible under Element 3. In the Industry Route, you propose your ideas directly to UK Space Agency, setting out the opportunity you wish to pursue. In the Competition Route, UK Space Agency may issue a call based on national strategic priorities which the sector can bid for in an open competition.
To apply for funding within each of the three NAVISP Elements, UK companies must obtain approval for their proposal from their National Delegate prior final bid submission. This guidance explains how to apply for National Delegate support under NAVISP. In this instance the UK Space Agency PNT Team are the National Delegate.
This guidance focusses on obtaining National Delegate support. Information on applying to ESA for funding through NAVISP can be found here.
About FutureNav
Alongside the Navigation Innovation and Support programme, ESA offer a suite of programmes within FutureNav. This includes 3 components:
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Component 1: LEO PNT: In-Orbit Preparatory Phase (IOPP)
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Component 2: Genesis: Deployment and Exploitation
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Component 3: PNT Demonstrators: OpSTAR; NovaMoon and Future demonstrators.
LEO PNT (Celeste)
The Celeste demonstrator mission, a constellation of ten satellites, is being designed to evaluate advanced signal technologies across multiple frequency bands. The mission will examine the integration of a low Earth orbit fleet with other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This strategy aims to enhance overall PNT resilience and robustness, while also enabling the development of new services.
The UK subscribed €3.7m for the UK to participate in the Celeste Programme. You can apply for funding as and when ESA release ITTs for this programme.
Genesis
This is a scientific mission which has focussed on improving the accuracy and stability of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame by combining four geodetic techniques in a single satellite.
The UK subscribed €0.5m for the UK to continue participating in this mission. You can apply for funding as and when ESA release ITTs for this programme.
PNT Demonstrators
The demonstrators have been designed to enhance resilience, secure PNT infrastructure, safeguard against interference and increase autonomy in orbit and on the ground. OpSTAR is an optical demonstrator, while NovaMoon has been designed as a lunar reference station. The Future Demonstrators are focussed on two key areas, quantum-enable demonstrators and AI and payload digital technology demonstrators.
The UK subscribed €1m for the UK to participate in the Future Demonstrators. You can apply for funding as and when ESA release ITTs for this programme.
Funding opportunities
NavISP and FutureNav currently have funding opportunities. Read the document below to find out more.
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Apply for funding: NavISP - Navigation Innovation Support Programme
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Apply for FutureNav funding
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Visit our Apply for funding page for information on these calls and further funding opportunities from the UK Space Agency, the space sector, academic, education and community partners.
Further information
If you would like any further information, or have any questions or feedback about this guidance, please contact the team at pnt@ukspaceagency.gov.uk or sign up for our mailing list.