Spring 2006: PNT: Getting In on the Ground Floor

In an April 24 presentation, Jenny Gautier, the Institute’s 2005–’06 executive fellow, brought the ION Council up to date on her activities with NASA, where she serves as the agency’s liaison to the Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee.

As one of seven members of the National Space-Based PNT Coordination Office (NPCO) staff, Gautier helps support the new interagency governing body for U.S. space-based PNT services established under President Bush’s national security directive in December 2004. With the Global Positioning System serving as its cornerstone, the PNT executive committee superseded the Interagency GPS Executive Board set up during the Clinton administration.

“It’s great timing to be a part of new interagency coordination process on GPS,” Gautier told the Council, adding that she was “plugged in” from the beginning at NPCO. “ION has been very supportive in getting me settled, and I have already gained invaluable experience on policy and administration of GPS.”

The NPCO opened officially on Nov. 1, 2005, under the leadership of its director Mike Shaw. Other staff members include representatives from the departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, State, Transportation, and the Air Force.

PNT Agenda
The PNT Executive Committee held its third meeting in mid-April with the next scheduled for June. Topics of interest taken up at the April meeting included NASA’s sponsorship of a Federal Advisory Board for the Executive Committee and the filing of the board’s charter with Congress. The advisors, who will be drawn from non-governmental nominees, are expected to hold their first meeting in

Other topics at the PNT executive committee meeting included the mandate to develop a five-year plan to coordinate details of interagency cost sharing as well as an update on GPS performance specifications. The status of various PNT programs was discussed, including development of the Nationwide Differential GPS system being led by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Committee also expressed a desire to bring in GPS technology companies to share their perspectives on the uses and challenges facing the GPS program.

Lessons Learned
Gautier said her experience as an ION fellow has already given her a larger view of PNT programs, the faster pace of programs, and an appreciation for prioritizing in policy decisions.

Gautier observed that NASA is new to the fellowship process and that she had come in during a transition period for the agency. “It has given me the opportunity to see change, even though transformation brings uncertainty,” she told the Council.

For her part, Gautier believes that bringing project management tools represents her greatest contribution to the fellowship opportunity, linking her experiences outside government with the public processes.

Gautier recommended that future fellows engage with an agency familiar with fellowship process and work directly with NPCO. She noted that she enjoys her interaction with ION members and hopes to take part in more ION conferences, as well as work to improve communications with ION members, perhaps with a "blog."