Official U.S. government information about the
Global Positioning System (GPS) and related topics
National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing
The GPS program receives national-level attention and guidance from a joint civil/military body called the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT).
The term "space-based PNT" refers to GPS, GPS augmentations, and other global navigation satellite systems.
Organizational Structure
This is a text description of the org chart.
- Top box, leading down to the central box: White House
- Central box: National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT / Executive Steering Group (Co-Chairs: Defense, Transportation)
- Left side boxes, all leading to the central box:
- Right box, leading to the central box: Advisory Board (Sponsor: NASA)
- Lower box, flowing down from the central box: National Coordination Office (Host: Commerce)
- Bottom boxes, each flowing down separately from the lower box:
View as PDF (200K)
Purpose
Established by presidential directive, the National Executive Committee coordinates GPS-related matters across multiple federal agencies to ensure the system addresses national priorities as well as military requirements.
View the Presidential directive
View the committee's charter
Membership
The National Executive Committee is chaired jointly by the Deputy Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, or their designated representatives.
The membership includes top leaders from the Departments of State, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Homeland Security, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and NASA.
Learn more about the members and their agencies
Meetings
The National Executive Committee generally meets twice a year in closed sessions.
National Coordination Office
A permanent staff in Washington, D.C., provides day-to-day support for the activities of the National Executive Committee.
Working Groups
An Executive Steering Group and several working groups support the National Executive Committee through interagency collaboration on specific topics.
Learn more about the working groups
Advisory Board
The National Space-Based PNT Advisory Board provides independent advice to the National Executive Committee from outside the U.S. government.
Learn more about the Advisory Board
Predecessor
Joint management of GPS dates back to 1996, when President Clinton established the Interagency GPS Executive Board, the predecessor to the National Executive Committee.
