With the recession in full swing, its not just people and companies who are being affected. Now it is the turn of satellites. Owing to the economic crisis, it is expected that there may be no new satellites to replace the failing ones. Due to this factor the minimum number of satellites required for providing accurate GPS positioning will eventually reduce causing the more inaccuracies in position determination. Hence, if you notice that your entirely new navigation system is acting weird and the streets are a little difficult to locate, then chances are that you are the prey to satellite deterioration.
Millions and millions of people across the world are using GPS technology to find their way from A to B. In fact, it has gained so much popularity that now mobile phone manufacturers are also after incorporating the navigational technology in their mobile handsets. This may lead to regular blackouts and failures or may result in providing inaccurate directions to several people. Most of the satellite manufacturers have their GPS navigational units integrated with the WAAS technology that is a network of 24 satellites launched by the US DoD.
Each and every artificial satellite that is launched comes with a specific life. The first of these satellites were launched by the US DoD (Department of Defence) and has been under their constant maintenance since the 1990′s. Right now they are facing lack of funds owing to the major economic downturn. It has been reported that some major and crucial GPS satellites may begin to fail in 2010, if the Air Force does not meet its goal of developing the GPS IIIA satellites in order to replace the failing ones. Due to this there may be an increased probability that the overall GPS constellation may come down beneath the number of satellites required to provide accurate GPS positioning. The GPS constellation is expected to come down to almost 18 satellites from the current set of 24 satellites before its full recovery that is expected to be completed by 2020.
The first of the replacement satellites was due to be launched at the beginning of 2007, but owing to various reasons it has been delayed several times. Now it is scheduled to be launched into the orbit this November, which is almost 3 years later than the initial scheduled date. There is expected to be a significant impact on the ordinary users, who would be victims of either failed services or bad directions. It may thus end up landing them to an altogether new place instead of their destination. In case of military, there would be similar kind of adverse effects when it uses GPS systems for tracking uncongenial targets. It can also have a major impact on the growth and development of navigational application that have been incorporated on the enterprise mobile handsets.
It is sceptical that the US government will let the GPS system fail as it is important to so many people and so many companies spread across the world. Though it may not completely damage the services, there will definitely be retardation of many services. The failing of GPS navigational system will open doors for other countries. Its rival Galileo, which is expected to be actively functioning next year will be the major beneficiary. The Galileo is based on Europe’s EGNOS Technology of GPS positioning. Also Russia, China and India have developed their own navigational technologies that are in the process of being expanded.
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One Response to “GPS Systems Likely to Lose Efficiency by 2010 !!!”[...] into nothing less than a routine in the peoples’ lives. It will be tough on these people if a sat nav breakdown occurs abruptly. The GPS analyst of Satellite Navigation, Akeila Kahn opined that the numerous [...]