Moscow Aviation Institute Develops Navigation System Based on Low Earth Orbit Satellites
The new technology could find applications not only in aviation but also across other modes of transportation.
Reliable navigation is a critical component of any country's technological development. Having multiple navigation platforms available is especially valuable because they provide backup capabilities in the event of a system failure.
A More Resilient Signal
Researchers at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) recently outlined their work on an alternative navigation system. It could be used by both passenger aircraft and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its key feature is the ability to determine an aircraft's position using signals from low Earth orbit (LEO) telecommunications satellites that are already in operation. In other words, the platform does not require additional satellites to be launched specifically for this purpose. The signals it receives are also significantly more resistant to various forms of interference and distortion than those used by existing global navigation systems.
The system's reliability stems from the orbital altitude of the satellites. Operating 500–1,500 kilometers above Earth, they can deliver strong, highly stable signals.
“Because these satellites travel at high speeds – 7–8 km/s – the signal frequency shifts. As a satellite moves away from the receiver, the frequency decreases; as it approaches, the frequency increases. By analyzing this shift, we can determine the position of an aircraft or another type of airborne vehicle to within a few meters. This is the principle behind the system we are developing: an onboard antenna will receive radio signals transmitted by the satellites, while a specialized algorithm will analyze the frequency shift and calculate the data needed for navigation,” said project author Maria Nikitina, a postgraduate researcher at MAI.
The new system is also expected to include a tool for verifying data integrity. Distorted information will be automatically rejected. If significant deviations are detected, the system will be able to alert pilots to potential problems in advance.
What Makes the Technology Unique
According to Maria Nikitina, MAI's development is unique. No one currently uses LEO satellites as a signal source for aviation navigation. The project is still at the concept development stage. It will involve creating a dedicated hardware and software unit, specialized equipment with functionality comparable to receivers used in global navigation satellite systems, and the algorithm itself for determining an aircraft's position. In the longer term, the technology could be deployed not only in aviation but also across other modes of transportation.
What Other Alternatives Are Emerging?
Over the past few years, Russian researchers have proposed several alternatives to existing systems for determining an object's position.
Back in 2023, researchers at Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University developed a tool that allows a UAV to navigate using camera data and local maps, without relying on satellite signals. The technology was tested on the small SAGIR-1 UAV and Pioneer Max quadcopters.
In September 2024, MAI researchers unveiled an autonomous navigation system incorporating artificial intelligence. That development was designed to make UAVs more autonomous and reduce their dependence on external navigation signals.
In 2025, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) proposed the NSI-2000MTG navigation system for helicopters. It uses inertial sensors and incorporates a Doppler correction effect. During flight tests, the technology improved positioning accuracy when satellite signals were unavailable.
As for the practical deployment of MAI's latest development, uncrewed aviation appears to be the most promising application. Introducing the technology into commercial passenger transportation would require substantial changes to existing infrastructure. However, if the project demonstrates its reliability and effectiveness, adoption across other industries could accelerate significantly.
