Space, Sea, Air, and Land: Portugal’s Strategic PNT Workshop Powered by NAVISP

Last Updated: 07/08/2025 11:55     Created at: 07/08/2025 07:14

On 22nd July, in the historic centre of Lisbon, the Portuguese Space Agency, in collaboration with the NAVISP Programme of the European Space Agency, hosted a workshop dedicated to Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) technologies. The event brought together 30 participants from across Portugal’s industrial, academic, and institutional landscape, creating a fertile ground for dialogue, innovation, and strategic alignment.

The workshop served as a platform to underscore the growing importance of PNT technologies in critical sectors such as maritime logistics, autonomous drone operations, and space-based services. Ricardo Conde, President of PT Space, opened the event with a compelling address. He emphasized Portugal’s unique geopolitical position as a transatlantic gateway and its ambition to scale up national capabilities through targeted investment in PNT innovation.

Following the opening, the PT Space and NAVISP delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the programme’s structure, objectives, and future direction. Attendees gained valuable insights into the three NAVISP elements, the mechanisms for participation, and the programme’s role in enabling cutting-edge PNT solutions across domains including space, automotive, maritime, and telecommunications.

Leading Portuguese Space companies—Indra-Deimos, NeuraSpace, and GMV—presented their NAVISP-supported projects, showcasing tangible commercial results and technological advancements. A panel discussion with PT Space highlighted NAVISP’s strengths: its responsiveness, openness to industrial collaboration, and its commitment to safeguarding intellectual property for participating entities.

The afternoon session shifted focus to downstream applications. TEKEVER illustrated how PNT underpins their drone operations. Luso Space explored the transformative potential of VDES technology in maritime logistics. IPQ, supported by MEO, addressed the national challenges of timing infrastructure and synchronization, critical for digitalisation.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in lively discussions with the NAVISP team, exchanging ideas and exploring future collaborations. The event concluded on a high note, having successfully fostered a collaborative spirit and reaffirmed the strategic importance of PNT for Portugal’s technological and industrial growth. It marked a significant step forward in strengthening the national ecosystem and aligning it with innovation pathways.