Satellite Glitch Rekindles GPS Concerns

coondoggie writes "News today that the Air Force is investigating signal problems with its latest Global Positioning System satellite is likely to rekindle the flames of a congressional report last month that said the current GPS coverage may not be so ubiquitous in the future. The Air Force stated that routine early orbit checkout procedures determined that the signals from the Lockheed-built GPS IIR-2 (M), which was launched in March, were inconsistent with the performance of other GPS IIR-M satellites. The Air Force said it has identified several parameters in the GPS IIR-20 (M)'s navigation message that can be corrected to bring the satellite into compliance with current GPS Performance Standards."

Comments

What's The problem?

[GreenTech11]

Really, what is the problem with this, at least they found out something was wrong before they accidentally blew something up. Most satellites are getting on a bit, so that there are tech issues shouldn't be worrying, and this is an endorsement of the ability of people to pick up the problem in the first place.

yet another justification

[mikerubin]

for me not using GPS, at least in day-today driving. After 8 years of field service I still use a road map and Google Maps. I just don't need another crutch (ie: calculator).
Yes, I know a map of the Atlantic won't help if I drop the compass overboard but that kind of detail isn't necessary if you are just trying to find dry land.

GPS will be just fine

[DaveInAustin]

A brand new GPS satellite has some bugs they are finding during testing, therefore GPS won't work as well in the future? Stop with the panic folks. Have you ever tested new code with new features and found some bugs? That's why you do testing.

Re:GPS will be just fine

[morgan_greywolf]

Have you ever tested new code with new features and found some bugs? That's why you do testing.

Can someone please explain this to Microsoft? In words they can understand? :-P

Re:Followup on the story

[morgan_greywolf]

I never said I was complaining about it (see the smiley at the end), but if I were, I'd have every right to since, as a U.S. citizen and tax payer, they are using my hard-earned tax dollars to build it.

I can fully understand why the military would use this approach, and I actually agree with the capability so long as it isn't abused. Unfortunately, I'm intimately familiar with my government. :(

Re:Soloution?

[Anonymous Coward]

What the hell does space tourism has to do with ANYTHING? It's a STUPID idea and will only be available for the super-rich, and will make the owners of their company super-rich.

Not as big of a deal as they're making it look

[Logical Zebra]

This is a problem with one satellite. ONE. The problem is with a brand new generation of satellite created by Lockheed Martin. Boeing is also producing new-generation GPS satellites. It stands to reason that the first of any new production run might have a glitch or two that didn't show up in developmental testing. (I'm not defending their shoddy testing procedures, mind you.) The remaining next-generation satellites haven't been completed yet, so it's probably safe to assume that these glitches will be fixed before launch.

The sky is not falling, and GPS will still be around.

Re:Soloution?

[SkyDude]

.....and generally insisting on maximizing their bang for their buck.

One might think they're part of the dreaded private sector with that mindset.