Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 42
We are concerned that the Government seems to be progressing towards plans to use OneWeb’s...
Conclusion
We are concerned that the Government seems to be progressing towards plans to use OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide PNT services in the future, despite suggestions from experts that there are many technical issues surrounding using LEO satellites for PNT signals. Ambiguity also remains about the development schedule for full PNT services from OneWeb and whether such services could be provided in a way that is appropriate for sovereign military and critical national infrastructure purposes.
Government Response Summary
The government created a cross-government PNT team to develop a position on national PNT resilience, with the current phase of work to be completed by Spring 2023 to help decide next steps.
Paragraph Reference:
42
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy recently created a cross government Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) team to take forward this agenda, initially as a ‘concept demonstrator’ project to develop a cross-government position on national PNT resilience through a better understanding of national needs, risks, and mitigations. The team, which will now sit within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, has drawn on expertise and resource from across multiple government departments. This is in line with the commitment in the March 2021 Integrated Review to strengthen the resilience of PNT services that our critical national infrastructure and economy depend on. already undertaken by the Government. The current phase of the work will be completed by Spring 2023 and will help decide the next steps on future PNT work across government, including decisions on what documents, strategies or plans should be developed and published to meet those aims. The Space-Based PNT Programme (SBPP) built on the United Kingdom Global Navigation Satellite System (UK GNSS) programme to develop recommendations to provide the UK with satellite navigation services. The programme successfully concluded and has provided a range of detailed analysis on options that will be considered by the DSIT-led cross- Government PNT team.