- Starlink announced it will discontinue access to its GPS alternative (PNT) as of May 20, 2026, surprising users who relied on the feature.
- Starlink PNT used two-way communication between user terminal and satellite, providing resilience against GPS jamming and spoofing.
- The feature was particularly useful in areas with GPS interference, such as the Red Sea, where sailboats could rely exclusively on Starlink for navigation.
- Starlink PNT had limited accuracy compared to GPS, partly due to less precise timekeeping on satellites.
- Experts believe SpaceX blocked access due to liability concerns for a service with variable accuracy.
- Despite the shutdown, Starlink’s satellite constellation is still seen as a promising navigation alternative in GPS-denied environments.