White House Issues Space Policy Directive 7 on Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Systems
Today, President Donald J. Trump issued Space Policy Directive-7 (SPD-7), the United States Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy. Recognizing that space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems are increasingly critical to the American way of life, SPD-7 directs the pursuit of multiple and varied sources of PNT. SPD-7 directs an increase of cybersecurity for the Global Positioning System (GPS) and GPS-enabled devices, and acknowledges the potential for GPS to contribute to in-space applications. This is the first update to the United States policy on space-based PNT in more than 16 years.
SPD-7 Highlights:
The multi-use PNT services provided by GPS are integral to United States national security, economic growth, transportation safety, and homeland security. These services are essential but largely invisible elements of worldwide economic infrastructures.
The goal of SPD-7 is to maintain United States leadership in the service provision and responsible use of global navigation satellite systems, including GPS and foreign systems.
To achieve this goal, SPD-7 outlines several objectives, including:
· Provide continuous worldwide access to United States space-based GPS services and government-provided augmentations free of direct user fees.
· Operate and maintain the Global Positioning System in accordance with United States law to satisfy civil, homeland security, and national security needs.
· Improve the performance of United States space-based PNT services, including developing more robust signals that are more resistant to disruptions and manipulations.
· Improve the cybersecurity of GPS, its augmentations, and United States Government-owned GPS-enabled devices, and foster private sector adoption of cyber-secure GPS-enabled systems.
· Protect the spectrum environment used by GPS and its augmentations.
SPD-7 complements the Executive Order on Strengthening National Resilience through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services, clarifying the pursuit of multiple and varied alternative sources of PNT for critical infrastructure.
Click here for text of Space Policy Directive-7.
On June 30, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order 13803, reviving the National Space Council “in order to provide a coordinated process for developing and monitoring the implementation of national space policy and strategy.” In addition to Space Policy Directive-7, the President has signed six previous Space Policy Directives and the National Space Policy to restore American leadership in areas of civil, commercial, and military space:
Space Policy Directive-1, Reinvigorating America’s Human Space Exploration Program
Space Policy Directive-2, Streamlining Regulations on Commercial Use of Space
Space Policy Directive-3, National Space Traffic Management Policy
Space Policy Directive-4, Establishment of the United States Space Force
Space Policy Directive-5, Cybersecurity Principles for Space Systems
Space Policy Directive-6, National Strategy for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion
