Professional Background
Brian Manning is the Co-Founder and CEO of Xona Space Systems, a cutting-edge space startup specializing in satellite navigation services. Under his leadership, Xona aims to revolutionize the field of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) by deploying a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites designed to provide navigation services with significantly higher accuracy and robustness compared to the traditional Global Positioning System (GPS).
Experience and Expertise
Prior to founding Xona Space Systems in 2019, Manning garnered significant experience in aerospace engineering and entrepreneurial ventures. Notably, he has previously worked at SpaceX, which highlights his deep expertise in the space industry. His career is further bolstered by his hands-on leadership in various startups and family businesses.
Education
Manning holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University, and an additional qualification from the London Business School.
Location
Brian Manning is currently based in San Mateo, California.
Company Vision and Achievements
Xona Space Systems is on a mission to create an advanced commercial PNT service to secure navigation and timing across various modern applications such as autonomous vehicles, UAVs, mobile robotics, and other critical systems. This innovative approach is intended to offer solutions that are resilient and capable of supporting the future landscape of intelligent systems.
- Pulsar System: Xona's planned satellite constellation, called Pulsar, aims to offer a commercial alternative to GPS with 10x higher accuracy and 100x better jam resistance. The system's architecture will be distinct from traditional LEO internet systems, focusing on the positional accuracy and integrity required by modern autonomous technologies.
- Funding Milestone: In December 2022, Xona Space Systems successfully raised $19 million in a Series A round led by prominent investors including Future Ventures and Seraphim Space. This funding round underscores the market's confidence in Xona’s vision and strategic direction.
Recent Highlights
- June 2024: Manning discussed the future direction of Xona Space Systems, emphasizing upcoming milestones and strategic plans for the next 12 months. Additionally, Manning continues to actively participate in industry discussions and presentations, such as the session at the Silicon Symposium.
- May 2024: Highlighted significant strides in developing their Pulsar system, sharing insights on how the satellite navigation market can benefit from more resilient and precise services compared to existing GPS technologies.
- August 2023: Xona Space Systems was featured on the "Ten 2024 Hottest Companies in Satellite" list by Via Satellite Magazine, reflecting their rising influence and innovative contributions in the space tech industry.
Notable Contributions and Publications
- Regularly contributes to thought leadership through interviews and articles. For instance, in August 2022, Manning shared his comprehensive perspective on commercial LEO PNT during an interview with SpaceDotBiz, where he discussed how Xona's technology differs from traditional GPS and how it could support national security customers.
- Partnerships: Announced a key partnership with etherWhere to develop a low-power, high-performance PULSAR + GNSS receiver that integrates multiple GNSS constellations, aimed at enhancing IoT, asset tracking, and mobile applications.
Future Outlook
Brian Manning's innovative leadership at Xona Space Systems positions the company at the forefront of the new space economy. The emphasis on delivering high-performance satellite navigation services is poised to play a critical role in the evolution of autonomous systems and robust global positioning services. Manning's strategic vision and technical prowess make him a pivotal player in transforming the landscape of satellite navigation and timing services.
For further information and updates, you can visit Brian Manning's [LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-manning-x) and explore more about Xona Space Systems at their [official website](https://www.xonaspace.com).
