Are the GPS systems in danger?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides positioning, navigation, and timing data to users worldwide.To work properly the GPS devices need at least four signals, from different satellites, to be compared at the same time. Given that the earth is spherical, the GPS network need at least 24 satellites to provide a signal all the time. Currently are 31 satellites, but the satellites will be overcome as long life and technology.
If the U.S. Air Force does not comply with the terms established under the program of modernization and replacement of the GPS satellites, then the risk that old satellites to fail technically in 2010 is very high and GPS networks, overall, will report bugs because GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites necessary to achieve the desired level of performance.
U.S. have proposed an investment of over 5.8 billion dollars by 2013, to modernize the network of satellites and for updating them. One solution would be to speed up investment, but it costs much higher. The first replacement of a satellite is expected in November, with a big delay .
The delay to update the GPS systems and the possible failure of the operation provides a opportunity to other nations to to compete with the U.S. – a rivalry hardly acceptable for the U.S. Government. Russia, China and India have their own system of navigation satellites, which they plan to expand. Also, the Galileo satellites of the European Union will be developed starting the end of this year.
3 Responses to “Are the GPS systems in danger?”
Very interesting article.I wait to read more about this subject
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