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Doubts About Future GPS Reliability

Posted by Zonk on from the ground-control-to-major-tom dept.

loped_index writes "IT Week reports that the U.S. GPS system is in a delicate state, and that full coverage could be lost if older satellites fail faster than the current rate. From the article: 'The system relies on a network of satellites, which cannot be repaired once launched and have a limited lifespan. Sixteen of the present 28 satellites were built to last seven and a half years, but are now between eight and 14 years old. Twenty-four satellites are required for full coverage.'"

14 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. Oh dear by Britissippi · · Score: 4, Funny

    We'll never find them when they fall then..?

    --
    Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow...
  2. Always good to know... by Nom+du+Keyboard · · Score: 2, Funny

    Always good to know I'll have something more to worry about this weekend. I was afraid I was going to run short.

    --
    "It's the height of ridiculousness to say for those 9 lines you get hundreds of millions."
  3. Well... by Sheetrock · · Score: 3, Funny
    Given that these things are about trying to figure out where you're going, we're close to the point where we don't need satellites for them anyway.

    When enough people have them, it'll be just as helpful to have the devices communicate with each other and work out amongst themselves where you're trying to go. Especially when you figure in the possibility of triangulating with cell towers.

    It's how the Internet works.

    --

    Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
    -- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.




  4. Well that sucks... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    First the Internet, now this. :/

  5. oops (GPS goes out) by pmike_bauer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

    --
    I read /. for the (Score:-1, Conservative) comments.
  6. There is only one solution... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    We MUST hand over ALL CONTROL of the GPS system to the UN, to save it from destroying itself...

    1. Re:There is only one solution... by amliebsch · · Score: 5, Funny

      Exactly! Sure, the US invented the system, launched all the satellites, and bears the maintenance cost, but everybody else in the world depends on it, so it's obviously right that the UN control it!

      --
      If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
  7. I think I'm still OK by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Funny

    I use one of these as my GPS.

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  8. May not be that important, really.... by ip_freely_2000 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Twenty-four satellites are required for full coverage

    As long as the satellites fail over someplace unimportant like Europe, why should we care?



    Please be gentle with my karma!

    1. Re:May not be that important, really.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Now, if 10 or 20 fail all at once, well, that's a different story.

      Thats really only a concern if the Aliens use them to run a countdown. Then you'll need them (and a macintosh) to upload a virus to the mothership...

  9. Bush Administration Announces... by ENOENT · · Score: 3, Funny

    new "Faith-based" navigation system...

    Film at 11.

    --
    That's "Mr. Soulless Automaton" to you, Bub.
    1. Re:Bush Administration Announces... by rubberbando · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yes! The north star will lead the way!

      --
      DEAD DEAD DEAD DELETE ME
    2. Re:Bush Administration Announces... by JahToasted · · Score: 2, Funny

      And a lot of the other stars have arabic names... hmmm no wonder Bush is putting so much into space initiatives.

  10. Re:They're up longer BECAUSE they didn't fail by thewiz · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's not that the satellites were just left up there longer because they couldn't be replaced, it's because they've lasted longer than they were intended to. Kind of a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" philosophy.

    Actually, the military's philosophy is to over-engineer items like satellites to make sure they last awhile. If you don't believe me, read a couple of the military specifications (MIL-SPEC) manuals. There is a joke that goes:

    Q: What is an elephant?
    A: A mouse built to MIL-SPEC.

    --
    If "disco" means "I learn" in Latin, does "discothèque" mean "I learn technology"?