At the 2025 Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, René Kleessen, Program Director for European Space Agency (ESA) Projects at the German Space Agency (DLR), delivered a precise and pointed message on Germany’s work to increase the resilience of positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technologies.
“This year’s summit theme – ‘Resilient PNT: Backbone of Autonomy and Critical Infrastructure’ – reflects and underlines the ever-increasing necessity for all PNT actors to be aware of current and emerging threats,” Kleessen said. “Such actors can be system and service providers, authorities, equipment manufacturers, as well as PNT users.”
Kleessen said the ecosystem must move beyond awareness toward implementation of real protective measures. “We need to implement appropriate detection and protection measures in order to achieve stronger PNT resilience,” he said, citing applications in national defense, power grids, autonomous mobility, and more. Germany, he explained, is not only sounding the alarm, it’s taking concrete steps.
Words into action
Kleessen cited four key initiatives underscoring DLR’s concern about PNT security.”First of all,” he said, “Europe is designing and developing a LEO PNT system, including a full-fledged satellite constellation and its dedicated ground systems.” The system explores new technologies like frequency diversification beyond L-band and two-way authentication. “LEO PNT has strong potential of adding new dimensions to PNT resilience, particularly across autonomous vehicle applications.”
Second, a mainly German, OHB-led consortium is moving forward with the development of optical synchronization technologies. “In February [2025], the contract for OpSTAR, optical synchronized time and ranging, was signed with ESA,” Kleessen said. “This cutting-edge technology will enable upcoming evolutions of the Galileo constellation to be more resilient and autonomous in its delivery of high-end, open and encrypted PNT services.”
Third, Kleessen detailed Germany’s long-standing work on Galileo Public Regulated Service (PRS) receivers. “We’ve performed substantial R&D on Galileo PRS receivers and security modules, in cooperation with EUSPA, and partners across Europe.” He also noted national efforts to fund resilient GNSS receivers tailored to UAV and autonomous automotive applications, “in close cooperation with manufacturers and end users.”
Lastly, Kleessen pointed to emerging tools like multi-antenna systems to suppress jamming, and local PNT augmentation using ground-based transmitters. “We aim to decrease dependence of critical infrastructure on GNSS,” he said. And perhaps most future-looking: “Some of Germany’s most ambitious projects are at the forefront of applied science, dealing with quantum technology. Quantum inertial systems, for example, could enhance PNT resilience dramatically.”
The European space community now turns its attention to the upcoming 2025 ESA Ministerial Conference in Bremen. Kleessen said, “This will be the political highlight of the year’s European space agenda, where fundamental budgetary and programmatic decisions will be taken. The German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport not only remains firmly committed, but it has even increased its corresponding budget lines.”