Periodic Reporting for period 1 - INAC-LEO (When Satellite Navigation Meets Satellite Communication in Low-Earth-Orbit Satellite Systems)
Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2026-11-30
Satellite-based technologies are essential to modern life, enabling navigation, communication, and emergency services. Traditionally, satellite communication and navigation have been developed and operated as separate systems. However, with the rise of Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, there is a growing opportunity to integrate both functions into a single, more efficient system. The European Union plans to launch its own secure LEO communication constellation by 2027. While these satellites are ideal for connectivity, they currently lack the positioning accuracy required for navigation applications. This project was designed to address this challenge. The goal was to develop new methods that would allow LEO communication satellites to also serve as navigation tools—without requiring additional systems or hardware.
Progress in this work package was limited, as the project was still at an early stage. During the first two months, the work focused on building the theoretical framework for LEO satellite navigation using Doppler and constellation data. Initial research included defining the basic concepts and mathematical models needed to use Doppler and constellation information from multiple LEO satellites to support independent navigation. However, no experimental validation or simulation was carried out during this period.
Ghost result: early termination of the project. Deliverable not implemented.