U.S. Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy

On January 15, 2021, President Donald J. Trump issued Space Policy Directive-7 (SPD-7), the United States Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Policy.

View SPD-7 at archives.gov

The policy updates the national management structure for GPS and extends longstanding U.S. commitments to provide worldwide, free civilian access to GPS.

Recognizing that space-based 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 also 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.

National Space Policy

President Trump’s National Space Policy of December 2020 provides additional, high-level guidance to federal agencies in this area. It establishes the overall goal statement that, “The United States must maintain its leadership in the service, provision, and responsible use of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS).”

View the relevant National Space Policy text at GPS.gov

Additional Information

For comprehensive information about U.S. GPS policy and management, visit www.gps.gov/policy.