Space Industry and Business News
GPS NEWS
Towards resilient navigation in the Baltics without satellites
illustration only
Towards resilient navigation in the Baltics without satellites
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 01, 2025

Efficient shipping routes are vital for Germany's economy, especially in and around the Baltic Sea. However, maritime operations remain vulnerable to disruptions in satellite navigation systems such as GPS or Europe's Galileo. Such failures can cause vessel navigation displays to lose position data or worse, deliver false coordinates, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

To counter these risks, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), together with research bodies, government agencies, and private-sector partners, has created an alternative to satellite-based positioning. Known as Ranging Mode (R-Mode), this terrestrial radio navigation solution is now entering the standardisation phase. Plans are underway to expand the testing area in 2025 to include territories in Finland and Estonia.

Between 2017 and 2021, DLR led the development of the world's first large-scale testing ground for R-Mode, laying the groundwork for a backup system across the Baltic. "This first step towards establishing a maritime backup system in the Baltic Sea region has demonstrated that R-Mode technology works in practice as an alternative terrestrial navigation system, enabling ship positioning even without satellite-based systems," said Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, Chair of the DLR Executive Board. "With this, DLR is not only making an important contribution to maritime safety, but ultimately also supporting economic performance."

R-Mode provides an economical alternative by utilizing existing radio infrastructure from national maritime authorities. It operates on both medium-wave and very high-frequency radio bands, making use of shore-based transmitters to support navigation when satellite signals are compromised. Over the past seven years, eight R-Mode transmitters have been deployed along an 800-kilometer corridor from Heligoland to Stockholm.

This testbed is now being shared among researchers, regulatory agencies, and companies for further trials. The goal is to refine receiver technologies and enable real-world applications using R-Mode data.

The effort gained momentum in 2023 with the launch of the ORMOBASS project, which aims to broaden the test zone to encompass the maritime corridor between Sweden, Finland, and Estonia. After assessing the region's existing radio beacon infrastructure in 2024, project members drafted an expansion strategy. Implementation is scheduled for 2025 and 2026, during which all core R-Mode functions across both radio frequency bands will be finalised and handed over to maritime authorities for operational use.

DLR is overseeing the overall project coordination while also leading technical efforts in system architecture, receiver development, field testing, and standardisation processes.

Uniformity is key for real-world deployment. Vessels navigating international waters require consistent R-Mode signals and certified on-board receivers. These criteria depend on international standardisation. The ORMOBASS concept for the medium-wave R-Mode signal has been integrated into IALA Guideline 1187, which outlines signal features and messaging protocols. This milestone is the result of a five-year collaboration, incorporating expertise from prior Baltic projects as well as insights from Canadian and South Korean deployments.

Guideline 1187, published in early 2025 by the International Organisation for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), is now publicly accessible. Implementation of the standardised medium-wave signal is underway in the Baltic and is set to be available between Germany, Finland and Estonia from early 2026.

Related Links
DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation
GPS Applications, Technology and Suppliers

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
GPS NEWS
Maxar unveils Raptor software suite for GPS-free navigation in autonomous systems
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 26, 2025
Maxar Intelligence has introduced Raptor, a next-generation software platform engineered to support autonomous drones with reliable navigation and precise ground coordinate extraction in GPS-denied environments. Designed to enhance operational resilience, the software empowers autonomous technologies used in military, humanitarian, and commercial missions globally. Raptor integrates seamlessly with existing unmanned systems, leveraging the platform's onboard camera and Maxar's extensive 3D global ... read more

GPS NEWS
Kazakhstan discovers its 'largest' rare earths deposit

Scientists build novel quantum material from two extreme compounds

Metamaterials enable ultra-efficient mechanical energy storage

World's third largest steelmaker posts nearly $1 bn loss

GPS NEWS
Senator questions canceling planned military satellites in favor of SpaceX

Skyloom completes OCT hardware deliveries for SDA York mission

SES and SpeQtral join forces to enable secure quantum communications across continents

Unseenlabs opens Singapore office to boost Asia Pacific operations

GPS NEWS
GPS NEWS
Towards resilient navigation in the Baltics without satellites

Maxar unveils Raptor software suite for GPS-free navigation in autonomous systems

UN decries hike in satellite navigation system interference

ESA's Mobile Navigation Lab Tackles Arctic Interference Testing

GPS NEWS
PACIFIC project targets cleaner skies through fuel innovation

Taiwan defence official in US for fighter jet unveiling

India signs $7.3 bn deal for 156 homemade helicopters

France's Dassault says upping Rafale warplane output

GPS NEWS
A new path for quantum connections

Japan to pour additional $5.4 bn into chipmaker Rapidus

Taiwan probes China's SMIC over 'illegal' talent poaching

China chip insiders eye stronger global ties despite trade tensions

GPS NEWS
Clouds and conspiracies: concerns over push to make rain

Pixxel satellites deliver groundbreaking hyperspectral imaging milestone

IRIDE satellite captures first high resolution image over Italy

Clouds changing as world warms, adding to climate uncertainty

GPS NEWS
Rats and rotting waste as rubbish row blights UK's second city

Microplastics debate ramps up tensions over EU green ambitions

Over a billion pounds of Coke plastic waste to enter waterways: study

Poisoned legacy of Albania's steel city

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.