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.
Good thing I learned how to use a compass and map in the Boy Scouts.
I remember, when I was in the Navy, the looks of confusion on the faces of new Ensigns when the Quarter Masters were showing them how to use charts and a plotting table. That was when the most advanced electronic guidence was inertia guidence. I wonder if basic seamanship is still taught in the age of GPS?
So instead of hearing that sweet voice from my dash tell me to "turn right in 3/8 of a mile", she'll be asking me, "where the hell are we?!?"?
( yet people wonder why I'm still single.)
Oh we know why you are single!
***Thread drift alert!***
I suspect that may be only ONE of the reasons. ;D
I admit it freely I am a lesbian... :P
So am I!!! I'm a lesbian trapped in the body of a big, fat, hairy biker. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
I saw your pic TT, your a great looking hairy biker! ;D
You saying that in the context of this thread makes me a little nervous. ;D
Don't be!
Three words (sung of course):
In the Navy! ;D
FQ13
SERIOUS THREAD DRIFT WARNING!!
;D
Three words (sung of course):
In the Navy! ;D
FQ13
I honestly hope that this turns into another Y2K thing, but how often can we rely on that?
This reminds me of one of my better pick up lines...
"Excuse me Miss, I'm new to the area.". "Could you please direct me to YOUR house?"
That's one of your BETTER lines? Don't date much do ya!?
;D
That's one of your BETTER lines? Don't date much do ya!?
;D
Give him a break, Haz. I don't date much either. The wife tends to frown on it. ;D
corner? did someone say corner? It's dark in the corner!
circa 1989 indeed!
It did work at least once Haz.....
The wifes on the left (my right)....circa 1989...the girlfriend is taking the picture.....NOT!
(http://i384.photobucket.com/albums/oo283/tsbevins/Family.jpg)
Thank You kind Sir!
25 years come September...who'd a thunk it..... ::)
Your wife must be a very patient, understanding and forgiving person. It is already obvious she wasn't hung up on looks as she picked you! ;D
One of those girls doesn't belong. Look at them. The one on the left is obviously happy, but the young one has a look like "who's that babe dad?"
Those two have been conspiring against me for years now.....but it's all good!
8)
Don't let him kid you, Tim, m58 married WAY out of his league, too. As did I, I might add. ;D
You don't need a GPS to find the important things in life.
Someone PM eric ... WE NEED THE TROPHY!!!
You don't need a GPS to find the important things in life.
Someone PM eric ... WE NEED THE TROPHY!!!
You don't need a GPS to find the important things in life.
Ranger up and award it to him yourself........Damn fine post, Peg, Damn fine post.
Ranger up and award it to him yourself........Damn fine post, Peg, Damn fine post.
In New England, we navigate based on the location of the next Dunkin Donuts!!!
;D
How in the daylights am I going to get from Point A to Point B without my Garmin? Seriously, let's cut some funding for the study of the amount of whale droppings in the Pacific Ocean and use it to upgrade and fix the system. Our national security depends on it.
Seriously, let's cut some funding for the study of the amount of whale droppings in the Pacific Ocean and use it to upgrade and fix the system. Our national security depends on it.
maybe cut the funding for teaching chinese hookers to drink responsibly?
HEY, I don't want some drunk Chinese hooker slobbering all over... WOOPS, wrong forum ;D
Trust me Tom, I am not into Starbucks Corporate Coffee either. Just seems like there is a Starbucks on every corner anymore. Can't see how people pay such a high price for "sissified" coffee. ;D
Astronomy rocks. Love the clear nights where most of the sky can be observed.
My wife thinks north is whatever direction her truck is going at that particular moment!
My wife thinks north is whatever direction her truck is going at that particular moment!
I think I must've married her sister. ;D
And I got one of their cousins..
Like I said earlier....my wife's a damn good woman.......but when it comes to directions, she could get lost in a box.
ok, check this out, I emailed my father about the article and he sent me this link.
http://www.insidegnss.com/node/1484#Baseband_Technologies_Inc_
he says the system will operate properly with only 15 satellites. how does he know this? he did some of the programming on some of these satellites. (he's the smart one in the family) anyway, he says, don't worry, it'll be just fine....
So I don't need the sextant I made from three pencils and rubber bands? ;D
So I don't need the sextant I made from three pencils and rubber bands? ;D
I disappointed about the GPS system, I WANTED to watch these dumb asses try to read a map while texting and applying eye make up.Yeah, but would you want watch a 2nd Lt. (I mean one of ours) try to call in artillery or air without it? Christ, it would save the tax payers money to just have the platoon play catch with their grenades. :-\
I got the Cheez whizz, I hope you all like the Smoked Cheddar. ;D
Free GPS SOFTWARE
Amazing new technology to locate exactly where you are using the internet.....give it a few seconds to work.
http://www.darnay.com/iec/features/locator/index.html