Report: GPS System Could be in Trouble
Posted 05/20/09 at 05:38:04 PM by Andy Salisbury
Comments
Print
Email
Thanks to a recent report, a new worst-case scenario has been proposed that details the downfall of the modern GPS system, as we know it.
The report, distributed by the Government Accounting Office, states that our nation’s GPS could begin to fail sometime next year. Our GPS system has supposedly been extremely mismanaged, and when the aging equipment used to keep it all running begins to fail there will be no new satellites to take their place.
“If the Air Force does not meet its scheduled goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites, there will be an increased likelihood that… the overall GPS constellation will fall below the number of satellites required to provide the level of GPS service that the U.S. government commits to,” says the report.
It also notes that the Air Force has failed to build successful GPS satellites within the cost and schedule constraints provided to it.
Image Credit: AP
didn't read the report...
Submitted by N25PHILLY on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 4:26am
...but the company I work for making parts for satellites including working on 3rd generation GPS, but based on what's written here I'm calling BS on this one.
The 1st generation GPS satellites were built by Lockheed Martin and worked great. Boeing came along with a better price with generation 2 so the government took it away from Lockheed Martin and let Boeing make a disaster out of it. I believe that Boeing just shipped out the first second gneration GPs satellite last year.
The government did figure out it's mistake and the 3rd generation GPS satellites are back with Lockheed Martin. There are satellites being made to replace the current ones, they are just way behind schedule.
HA!
Submitted by K0BALT on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 3:56am
Just another foreshadowing event leading to Dec. 21, 2012
It is kind of crap that the
Submitted by quickone on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 8:04pm
It is kind of crap that the US Government funds the development and
implantation of GPS and other governments all over the world use it.
Something like this should not burden one country, especially not one
military branch.Hey Nuxes, an American has not taken fire from the air since the start of the Koren war, there is a reason for that.
Maybe the Army or Marines should take it over, they are getting everything else the AF does through Gates.
Submitted by Cyberdiver on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 8:38am
Brits are working their own version. The europeans luanched the first sat for their version last year or the year before. These other countries want their own becuase we have the means to shut it down and controll access. The reason for all these 2 other systems is becuase they don't want to rely on our system and generousity.
Submitted by mesiah on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 7:34pm
Ahhh, yet another succesful government run program.... And we want these people in charge of our healthcare?
Submitted by KaylaKaze on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 11:37pm
Well, not the republicans, who were the ones who ran this, and all other government programs into the ground, intentionally, to make morons like you think governemnt can't do anything right. If you put people in charge of a government when they are ON RECORD as being against governemnt of any kind, then you shouldn't be surprised when they do their damnedest to destroy it.
Submitted by mesiah on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 8:05pm
It's ignorant people like you that amaze me. It doesnt matter what party is in charge, the government still fails when it comes to things like this. It's just the nature of the beast. If you want to be a fool and blame lack of spending, go right ahead. You can also blame it on corruption, and politicians stuffing their pockets. But the bottom line is, when you dont have to compete with anyone you have no reason to do your best. Therefore no matter how much or little support it gets, its still going to be a half assed run government project. If you need an example, go down to your local DMV or BMV to renew your drivers license and just marvel at the incompetence and lack of caring that goes on there. Or, you can just sit there and blame republicans or democrats and cry about how everyone is stupid but you. /endrant.
Submitted by kracka on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 6:40am
Ooh ooh and Jews! Don't forget the Jews!
Submitted by comptech08 on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 7:13am
what do the Jews have to do with this at all?
Submitted by ferds7 on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 2:02pm
I believe the comment was of sarcrasm due to the comment above it trying to place the blame on one single group of people.
Submitted by r7mr7m on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 3:27am
Let's share in the agony of the the Europeans (namely, the UK) and Canada.
Neither the Republicans or the Democrats can or should be using every breath to take away the rights of the individual. Get rid of big government (not all governement) and let people decide for themselves.
Get rid of social programs that support welfare lifers. Don't try to run the banks, auto or any other industries/businesses.
Stop going the wrong way! Less government = Fewer problems.
Considering how many government programs are funded
Submitted by QUINTIX256 on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 7:15pm
They are going to start... ... taxing navigation devices.
We are all DOOMED!
You can have your recession. I'm not participating.
Submitted by comptech08 on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 6:25pm
i read up on this a week ago and you forgot to mention that the UK is developing a GPS sattilite of its own called Galileo, and it looks like it will be launched in the year 2013. The air force is looking to use it to "fill in the gaps" But if it is set to fail, idk if one will help that much. But i am not an expert about it, so i really dont know.
Where did all the money go?
Submitted by Nuxes on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 5:44pm
F-22 Raptor: $361 million each.
B-2 Stealth Bomber: $1.57 billion each.
Cold War ended: 18 years ago.
Submitted by r7mr7m on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 3:10am
US Budget (not to mention intereset and inflation):1.5 Trillion
oh and btw...
China, North Korea, Russia, etc still don't really play well with others
Wow
Submitted by Cache on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 3:41pm
A government agency running far behind schedule while staggeringly over-budget? Stop the presses!
Submitted by habuza on Wed, 05/20/2009 - 3:25pm
Good thing I don't use GPS then I guess, too bad for the directionally challenged saps.
Submitted by r7mr7m on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 3:15am
for every military operation.
by law enforcement and search and rescue teams worldwide.
by scientists.
by commercial and personal vessels.
etc.
Submitted by kracka on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 6:39am
then they get paid too much, reliance on fragile tech just makes you a victim waiting to happen.
Submitted by Phated1 on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:49am
For one, how does them using GPS to get to emergency calls have anything to do with their salary?
Also, would you rather the person who just busted into your house to rob you have and extra minute or more while the cop checks his map to find your house? Or would you rather the dispatcher just plug the address of the phone call directly into the officer's GPS unit so he/she can immediately roll to your house?
Also, what happens if you have a serious accident on a mountain road and you call 911 from your cell but you dont know what mile marker you are at? They pull your location up using the GPS built into your phone.
Submitted by r7mr7m on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 10:03am
Ha!
Fat lot of good a thomas guide does in the ocean.
Submitted by ETNPNYS on Thu, 05/21/2009 - 7:22am
OH YEAH - cuz flipping through a Thomas Guide will get the cops to an urban gangfight quickly!
<><
Must Read Articles
Feature
Review
Feature
Feature
Feature
Most Popular Articles
This Month's Issue
FEATURE How to Get FREE Programs, Services, Software & MoreFEATURE Digital Photo Printer RoundupHOW TOBuild a 3D CameraFEATUREDIY Arcade PCWHITE PAPERHow TRIM Works
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2009 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.