National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Charter of the
National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board

1. Official Designation: National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board (“PNT Advisory Board”).

2. Authority: The National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board was established pursuant to the National Security Presidential Directive-39 (NSPD-39) of December 15, 2004, and most recently continued by Executive Order 14048 of September 30, 2021. On January 15, 2021, Space Policy Directive 7 (SPD-7), “The United States Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Policy,” superseded NSPD-39 of December 15, 2004. The PNT Advisory Board operates in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S. Code 10.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities: SPD-7 establishes implementation actions and guidance for United States (U.S.) space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) programs and activities for U.S. national and homeland security, civil, commercial, and scientific purposes. This policy complements the guidance set forth in Executive Order 13905 of February 12, 2020 (Strengthening National Resilience through Responsible Use of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services), and the inter sector guidance for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) included in the December 9, 2020, National Space Policy. SPD-7 reaffirms the role of the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Executive Committee (“PNT EXCOM”) as the interagency body responsible for guiding and preserving whole-of-Government interests in the provision of space-based PNT services, augmentations, and space-based alternatives. SPD-7 also directs the PNT EXCOM to maintain and receive advice from the National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Advisory Board (“PNT Advisory Board”), established by NSPD-39 and continued by the Executive Order 14048, “Continuance or Reestablishment of Certain Federal Advisory Committees and Amendments to Other Executive Orders.” The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in close coordination with the PNT EXCOM, will task the PNT Advisory Board and define the full scope of activities and schedules required to accomplish such tasks based on emerging national and international PNT developments. The PNT Advisory Board will operate solely in an advisory capacity as directed by the U.S. PNT Policy and in accordance with FACA, 5 U.S. Code 10.

4. Description of Duties: The PNT Advisory Board shall be composed of experts from outside the U.S. Government and shall be chartered as a Federal Advisory Committee. The Advisory Board shall seek input from state and local governments, industry, and academia on developments in the application of space-based PNT technologies and advise the PNT EXCOM Committee on policy and service impacts. At the request of the EXCOM, NASA sponsors the PNT Advisory Board as part of NASA’s contribution towards PNT Policy implementation. The PNT Advisory Board will provide advice, as requested by the PNT EXCOM and through NASA, on U.S. PNT Policy, planning, program management, and funding profiles in relation to the current state of national and international space-based PNT services. This advice will consist of assessments and recommendations to facilitate the accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the U.S. PNT Policy on behalf of the PNT EXCOM. The PNT Advisory Board will evaluate national and international needs for changes in space-based PNT capabilities, assess possible trade-offs among options, and provide independent advice and recommendations to the PNT EXCOM on requirements and program needs. The U.S. reserves the right to hold “U.S. members-only” meetings of the PNT Advisory Board, as required, in full compliance with the FACA and related U.S. statutes and regulations.

5. Official to Whom the Committee Reports: The PNT Advisory Board will report findings, recommendations, and tasking progress to the PNT EXCOM, of which NASA is a member.

6. Support: The NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate shall provide staff support and operating funds for the PNT Advisory Board and is responsible for fulfilling the reporting requirements of section 7(b) of FACA.

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years: The estimated annual operating costs are $150,000, which includes the approximate costs for meeting logistics, travel, report generation, subordinate meetings, and NASA staff support. NASA staff support is expected to require 0.3 work years of effort.

8. Designated Federal Officer: The Executive Director of the PNT Advisory Board shall be appointed by the NASA Administrator and will serve as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The DFO will be a full-time employee, who will: call, attend, and adjourn committee and subcommittee meetings; approve agendas; maintain required records on costs and membership; ensure efficient operations; maintain records for availability to the public; and provide copies of committee reports to the NASA Committee Management Officer for forwarding to the Library of Congress. The DFO will also coordinate with the PNT Advisory Board members and NASA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) to ensure that all legal/ethical requirements are met. With regard to Special Government Employees (SGEs), these requirements include, though are not limited to, timely filing of financial disclosure reports and ethics training by a representative of NASA’s OGC and seeking advice from the NASA OGC Ethics Team for any questions concerning Government ethics requirements that may arise.

9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings. The PNT Advisory Board will meet approximately one to two times each fiscal year. Meetings will be open to the public unless it is determined that the meeting, or a portion of the meeting, will be closed in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5 U.S. Code 552b(c).

10. Duration: The duration of the PNT Advisory Board is continuing, subject to the Termination section below.

11. Termination: The PNT Advisory Board shall terminate on September 30, 2023, unless continued by the President.

12. Membership and Designation:

  1. The PNT Advisory Board shall consist of not more than 30 members from critical industry sectors, academia, international organizations, or space-based PNT user application areas. Members will serve as SGEs or Representatives.
  2. The PNT Advisory Board will consist of constituent experts from outside of the U.S. Government nominated by the PNT EXCOM Federal agencies approved by the PNT EXCOM Co-Chairs and appointed by the NASA Administrator.
  3. PNT Advisory Board members shall be appointed so as to ensure a balanced representation in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed. Diversity and sector representation will be considered as well.
  4. PNT Advisory Board members will be appointed for a two-year term, renewable at the discretion of the NASA Administrator.
  5. PNT Advisory Board members will not be compensated for their services, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses as allowed by 5 U.S.C. 5701 et seq. and the FACA as amended.
  6. The PNT EXCOM may maintain a list of approved PNT Advisory Board nominees to fill vacancies and to enable rotation of new members onto the PNT Advisory Board at the discretion of the PNT EXCOM Co-Chairs and NASA Administrator.
  7. Any PNT Advisory Board member rotations shall not exceed six members in any oneyear period to ensure a core institutional membership is maintained so as to ensure ongoing PNT Advisory Board work is not adversely affected.
  8. The NASA Administrator, in consultation with the PNT EXCOM Co-Chairs, will designate the PNT Advisory Board Chair and Vice-Chair.

13. Subcommittees, and Task Forces: As authorized by the DFO, the PNT Advisory Board work may be organized and supported by subcommittees, and/or task forces, to ensure taskings are appropriately completed in a timely manner in consultation with the PNT Board Chair or Vice Chair. Subcommittees must report back to the parent committee and must not provide advice or work products directly to the Agency. In addition, NASA may authorize consultants with special expertise to support such subordinate groups on an ad hoc basis. Such subcommittees, and/or task forces, will be comprised of appointed PNT Advisory Board members and will report their findings and recommendations to the PNT Advisory Board Chair or Vice-Chair. Information classified for national security reasons may be provided to appropriately cleared members of the PNT Advisory Board to support the mission of the PNT EXCOM.

14. Recordkeeping: The records of the PNT Advisory Board, its subcommittees, and/or task forces, shall be handled in accordance with the General Record Schedule 6.2, or other approved Agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.

15. Filing Date: Since the PNT Advisory Board is a Presidential authority advisory committee, this Charter shall be effective on the date of its filing with the Committee Management Secretariat of the U.S. General Services Administration and the U.S. Congressional committees of jurisdiction.

/signature/
Bill Nelson
Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

04/25/2023
Date