Satellite navigation has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, and while it is commonly associated with navigating unfamiliar city streets or helping find the way to dinner with friends, it is emerging as a revolutionary tool in countless fields, including the health sector.

ESA’s Navigation Innovation and Support Programme, or NAVISP, supports European companies in the development of new solutions for a variety of sectors using satellite navigation. NAVISP provides funding, technical support and access to a wide community of experts. Within the programme’s extensive portfolio, a few initiatives are channelling the advantages of these technologies into healthcare.

Positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) technologies are already used for locating individuals in need, optimising routes for first responders, tracking pandemics and delivery of medical supplies and monitoring patients remotely. Satellite navigation still holds immense potential, especially in improving the efficiency of medical treatments and reducing response times in crisis situations. NAVISP, by enabling companies to harness PNT capabilities, is crucial in supporting the development of such innovative solutions.