What is PNT?
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of space-based PNT at:
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of space-based PNT at:
Available in English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic
"PNT" stands for positioning, navigation, and timing. PNT is a combination of three distinct, constituent capabilities:
- Positioning, the ability to accurately and precisely determine one's location and orientation two dimensionally (or three dimensionally when required) referenced to a standard geodetic system (such as World Geodetic System 1984, or WGS84);
- Navigation, the ability to determine current and desired position (relative or absolute) and apply corrections to course, orientation, and speed to attain a desired position anywhere around the world, from sub-surface to surface and from surface to space; and
- Timing, the ability to acquire and maintain accurate and precise time from a standard (Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC), anywhere in the world and within user-defined timeliness parameters. Timing includes time transfer.
"Space-based PNT" refers to the capabilities enabled by:
Collectively, these space-based PNT capabilities provide position, velocity, and timing information to an unlimited number of users around the world, allowing every user to operate on the same reference system and timing standard. Such information has become increasingly critical to the security, safety, prosperity, and overall quality of life of citizens in the United States and around the world. As a result, space-based PNT is now widely recognized as an essential element of the global information infrastructure.