Aircraft, ships, driverless cars and vehicle sat navs will now work from a signal provided a new, British-led navigation system created by a host of companies led by telecommunications company Inmarsat.

Since leaving the European Union, the UK is not part of the Galileo sat nav system and cannot use the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) safety of life (SOL) services, which enable the use of GPS for airport approach and landing operations for aircraft.

The newly activated UK “space-based augmentation system” (UKSBAS) works by adding an additional signal to GPS, which is run by the US Government. The extra signal makes it less vulnerable to interference and provides more accuracy, down to a few centimetres rather than several metres.

Transport Minister Robert Courts said: “The UK’s thriving space sector is developing at pace, and British-led innovations like this have the potential to deliver crucial navigation services for our aviation and maritime sectors.”

He added: “That’s why this Government is investing millions in new technologies to make our transport network even safer while boosting high-skilled job opportunities across the nation.”

Although the technology has applications across a litany of functions, it’s most critical use is in guiding aircraft for takeoffs and landings as well as navigating ships through narrow channels.

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Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “Congratulations to Inmarsat, Goonhilly and GMVNSL on this impressive achievement.

“In recent years, the UK Space Agency has invested in the development of UK expertise in Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), and the government’s commitment to strengthening PNT resilience is set out in both the National Space Strategy and Integrated Review, given its importance to our critical national infrastructure and economy.

“This project is a great example of the innovation found throughout the UK space sector and demonstrates how we can work effectively with the European Space Agency to strengthen our national space capabilities.”

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