GPS System Could Fail by 2010

**AHeneen** · 05-19-2009, 01:56 PM

GPS System Could Fail Next Year, Report Warns

Fox News

Mismanagement and underinvestment by the U.S. Air Force could possibly lead to the failure and blackout of the Global Positioning System (GPS), a federal watchdog agency says.

The risk of failure starts in 2010, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report quoted by PC World.

The failure would impact not only military operations, but also the millions of people and businesses who rely on the satellite-based navigation systems built into cars, boats and cell phones.

"If the Air Force does not meet its schedule goals for development of GPS IIIA satellites, there will be an increased likelihood that in 2010, as old satellites begin to fail, 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," the GAO report states.

The report says the Air Force has struggled to build successful GPS satellites within cost and on schedule.

**noonwitch** · 05-19-2009, 03:34 PM

I know people who are totally dependent on GPS systems to get around the city they've lived in their entire lives. They are going to be lost without it.

I'll be laughing at them, of course, and charging them for directions.

**Speedy** · 05-19-2009, 03:44 PM

Of course, you can forget about President Obamadama Ding Dong appropriating any money to remedy the situation. He would rather spend the money on stupid shit that furthers a socialist agenda no one really wants.

**AHeneen** · 05-19-2009, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by noonwitch

I know people who are totally dependent on GPS systems to get around the city they've lived in their entire lives. They are going to be lost without it.

I'll be laughing at them, of course, and charging them for directions.

I think that would be the LEAST of our concerns. Remember that GPS was developed for the military: our planes & missiles are dependent on this technology. While ships have reliable alternatives, GPS is drastically easier to use. GPS also has a large role in surveying (especially large areas, in remote areas, or archaeology digs). GPS is also used in tracking criminals and sex offenders with ankle-bracelets.

The only alternative to GPS is Europe's Gallileo, which is currently just a handful of satellites & won't be complete for a few more years.

BTW: I hate those types of people too. In 2005, my mother got a car with a built-in GPS and used the damn thing on just about every trip. I felt like ripping it out several times, because every intersection you'd come to the thing would silence the radio and blare out "Right/Left turn ahead. Right/left turn in one half mile. Turn right/left here." While I have no plans on getting one, it does come in handy in large/unfamiliar towns because you can search for restaurants by type (and a few other things too).

**noonwitch** · 05-20-2009, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by AHeneen

I think that would be the LEAST of our concerns. Remember that GPS was developed for the military: our planes & missiles are dependent on this technology. While ships have reliable alternatives, GPS is drastically easier to use. GPS also has a large role in surveying (especially large areas, in remote areas, or archaeology digs). GPS is also used in tracking criminals and sex offenders with ankle-bracelets.

The only alternative to GPS is Europe's Gallileo, which is currently just a handful of satellites & won't be complete for a few more years.

BTW: I hate those types of people too. In 2005, my mother got a car with a built-in GPS and used the damn thing on just about every trip. I felt like ripping it out several times, because every intersection you'd come to the thing would silence the radio and blare out "Right/Left turn ahead. Right/left turn in one half mile. Turn right/left here." While I have no plans on getting one, it does come in handy in large/unfamiliar towns because you can search for restaurants by type (and a few other things too).

I never get lost. I know my way around Michigan very well (at least the lower penninsula), and I've been to new cities and if I look at a map before I go, I'm able to find my way around. I can get around Chicago, even though I've been there only a few times, and San Francisco, even though I've only been there twice.

When I take unknown detours around construction sites, I might get mixed up because I'm unfamiliar with street names, but I always know which direction I'm headed and which direction the freeway I'm heading back to is.

**stsinner** · 05-20-2009, 08:58 AM

Hey, look at the bright side! If the GPS system fails our enemies won't be able to hit us with nukes after we unilaterally disarm under the current Socialist dictator.

**SPYDER** · 05-21-2009, 12:14 PM

What has happened to the "LORAN" system?? Is it still working?? It used ground based radio signals to give your location. Not as user friendly as GPS, but it worked!!!

**AHeneen** · 05-21-2009, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by stsinner

Hey, look at the bright side! If the GPS system fails our enemies won't be able to hit us with nukes after we unilaterally disarm under the current Socialist dictator.

Wrong. After falling into a dilapidated state in the 90s, Russia has improved their similar system. In order to calculate position, a receiver needs to be in view of 3 satellites, so Russia's system could hit anywhere except the south Pacific...

Second, the Europeans will have a GPS-like system by 2013, called Gallileo. Its signal will be even more precise than GPS! Fortunately, it uses a frequency that we can easily block.

**CorwinK** · 05-21-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by noonwitch

I know people who are totally dependent on GPS systems to get around the city they've lived in their entire lives. They are going to be lost without it.

I'll be laughing at them, of course, and charging them for directions.

You mean people still ask for directions?? and here I was thinkin I was the only one lol