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GPS Accuracy Could Start Dropping In 2010

Posted by timothy on from the how-to-blackmail-for-tax-dollars dept.

adamengst writes "A US Government Accountability Office report raises concerns about the Air Force's ability to modernize and maintain the constellation of satellites necessary to provide GPS services to military and civilian users. TidBITS looks at the situation and possible solutions."

3 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. How much is actually going to be lost? by Chmcginn · · Score: 5, Insightful
    With one or two satellites below the 24 constellation, the accuracy isn't going to be impeded any noticeable amount. Any GPS reciever that can take DGPS signals might well not even notice.

    The real concern is a major solar event - if they're having a big issue replacing one every other year, imagine if a major solar storm took out a dozen at once.

    --
    Have you been touched by his noodly appendage?
  2. Re:This is like the Millenium Bug by quanticle · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why move to Europe? I mean, its not like they'll not be restricting the system so that it only works over Europe. Why not just buy a Galileo receiver (when they become available)?

    Also, isn't Galileo supposed to be backwards compatible with GPS?

    --
    We all know what to do, but we don't know how to get re-elected once we have done it
  3. Re:How about cutting the dead wood? by FireFlie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just your 1/50th of a cent?