Protecting satellite navigation: Experts demand measures against interference!

Protecting satellite navigation: Experts demand measures against interference!

International experts from satellite navigation met at the end of March 2025 Munich Satellite Navigation Summit 2025 gathered. Organized by the University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBw M) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the event from March 26th to 28th, 2025 was all about securing satellite navigation systems. A central motto was: “Resilient PNT – Backbone of Autonomy and Critical Infrastructure”.

The importance of satellite navigation is undisputed. It is essential for the areas of traffic, transportation, information technology and telecommunications. However, the reliance on precise positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) data through systems such as Galileo also raises questions about security. Urgent risks arise from jamming, where data is corrupted by competing signals, and spoofing, where incorrect data is transmitted. A particularly worrying example is a plane crash in Kazakhstan, cited by Prof. Thomas Pany of UniBw M.

Increasing risks and legal framework conditions

How Saffron navigation timing describes, the GNSS signals are susceptible to interference due to their weakness. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou, operating from an altitude of approximately 20,000 to 25,000 km above the Earth, form the backbone for precise positioning services. Users can typically receive between six and ten satellites from a system and determine their position by analyzing the time differences between the received signals.

In addition to promoting an improved international legal framework governing responsibilities in the event of disruptions, implemented since March 2025, summit participants emphasize the need for a multi-pronged approach to securing satellite navigation. The UN Committee on Telecommunications, Aviation and Shipping has repeatedly highlighted the increasing threats of disruption.

Disturbance prevention actions

The disruption prevention measures discussed at the summit include the introduction of mandatory reporting, the use of alternative navigation methods, and the replacement of outdated GNSS receivers. Future Galileo services will also be equipped with authenticated signals to make spoofing more difficult. Given the increase in GNSS interference in aviation and shipping, a coordinated approach is urgently needed.

Jamming can be intentional or unintentional and has increased in the quality of navigation in recent years. As the ITU emphasizes, unauthorized transmissions of radio signals that interfere with legitimately used frequencies pose a serious threat. In addition, organizations are concerned about the increase in spoofing, where false signals are sent that imitate real services. These techniques can potentially jeopardize the safety of ships and aircraft worldwide.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the security situation in the field of satellite navigation must be taken seriously. Pre-organized events, such as the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit, and progressive measures to improve the resilience of navigation systems are essential to ensure the integrity and reliability of these systems.