Download the JAM data sheet and see how autonomous navigation performs across space, air, and ground domains.

JAM is an alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (Alt-PNT) solution developed by Rhea Space Activity that enables fully autonomous navigation without reliance on GNSS systems such as GPS. It uses passive optical sensing and onboard processing to determine a vehicle’s position, velocity, and trajectory across space and terrestrial environments.

JAM uses optical navigation techniques, capturing images of celestial objects such as the Moon, planets, asteroids, and satellites. By analyzing these observations, JAM determines its position relative to known reference points and generates precise state vector solutions, eliminating the need for GNSS signals or ground-based updates.

Alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (altPNT) refers to navigation solutions that operate independently of GNSS systems. altPNT is critical in environments where GNSS signals may be unavailable, degraded, jammed, or spoofed. JAM provides a resilient altPNT capability that ensures mission continuity in contested or denied environments.

JAM relies exclusively on passive optical inputs rather than radio frequency (RF) signals. Because it does not depend on external transmissions, it is inherently immune to GNSS jamming and spoofing attacks, making it a highly secure and resilient navigation solution.

JAM is designed to support a wide range of platforms, including spacecraft and satellites of various sizes/classes and autonomous systems. Its modular architecture allows it to scale from small satellites and drones to large, complex space missions, adapting to different operational requirements without additional infrastructure.

Yes. JAM is designed for full autonomy and can provide navigation solutions, trajectory corrections, and orbital maneuver recommendations without requiring ground contact. This reduces latency, lowers operational costs, and enables missions in communication-constrained environments.

JAM provides state vector outputs comparable to GNSS-based systems by leveraging precise optical measurements and onboard processing. While performance depends on mission parameters and environment, JAM is designed to deliver high-precision navigation suitable for mission-critical applications.

PACE stands for Primary, Alternative, Contingent, and Emergency. JAM can function in all four roles: as a primary navigation system, a backup to GNSS, a contingency solution during disruptions, or an emergency fallback, ensuring continuous navigation capability across all mission phases.

No. While JAM is optimized for space environments, its GNSS-independent navigation capabilities make it applicable to terrestrial and aerial systems operating in denied or degraded environments, including defense and autonomous vehicle applications.

Optical navigation provides a passive, infrastructure-independent approach to determining position and trajectory. Unlike GNSS, it is not vulnerable to RF interference and does not require external signals, enabling greater resilience, autonomy, and operational flexibility.

JAM enhances resilience by removing dependence on vulnerable external systems such as GNSS and ground control. Its autonomous operation, passive sensing, and PACE flexibility ensure that navigation capabilities remain intact even in contested, degraded, or communication-limited environments.

GNSS signals are not always available in deep space and can be disrupted in contested environments. GNSS independence ensures that missions can continue operating reliably without external dependencies, which is critical for national security, deep space exploration, and autonomous operations.