GPS Satellites Could Break Down by 2010
Millions of U.S. consumers have come to depend on GPS technology for a variety of daily activities, like avoiding traffic jams, finding the shortest route to a vacation destination, or for just finding the nearest movie theatre. Hopefully, those GPS-addicts haven't cleaned the maps out their glove compartments just yet -- according to a U.S. government report obtained by U.K. newspaper The Guardian, the nation's satellites used for GPS may be failing and could even begin to malfunction by 2010.
The Air Force maintains the satellites -- which have been in operation for approximately 20 years -- but hasn't replaced any of them. The first replacement, scheduled to launch in 2007, has yet to be sent into orbit. It's surprising that the Air Force allowed the system to get so bad, considering that the military relies heavily on GPS for mapping, reconnaissance work, navigation, and targeting.
According to The Guardian, the Air Force is spending $2 billion to bring the system up to date. Hopefully it'll be able to complete the upgrades relatively soon, as GPS is only increasing in provenance: we've seen it used to monitor violent criminals and locate lost outdoor enthusiasts. But, perhaps there is one upside to the deteriorating satellite system -- cartographers everywhere (all three of them) may have jobs again.
If the system does get updated by next year, let's hope it's a bit more accurate than it was for the poor folks in the gallery below, who were led astray their GPS devices. [From: The Guardian]
Related Links:
- Man Follows GPS...to the Edge of a Cliff
- GPS Leads Truck to Impassable Road for 5 Days
- GPS Sends Another Driver Onto Train Tracks of Doom
- Bust Driver Chooses GPS Over Gigantic Warning Sign, Plows Into Overpass
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
wrs589 said 4:50PM on 5-19-2009
I doubt any of the incidents shown in the gallery were caused by inaccurate GPS positioning, more likely a problem with the data in the maps or software on the GPS device.
Also, they were caused by people being retarded.
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G.A. said 6:20AM on 5-20-2009
I my self have had problems with GPS. At certain Times of the day. It's not a software issue. It stated showing me driveing trough buildings off of the Highway. You can't rely 100% you need to use a little common sense with them.
MsIsis said 1:46PM on 5-20-2009
You're right, those are software issues - because I had those with mapquest long before we started using GPS itself. I've had Mapquest take me in circles that never end, and both mapquest and GPS told me to take a circle onto a main interstate, get off, get back on, then go back to the original road I was on. The software they use is very similar.
Common sense is important at any time you use something like this.
ANd the AF hasn't upgraded the satellites cause they have to have money to do that. They've been busy fighting wars with spare change. Makes it a little tough to replace satellite systems. ANd how come tomtom and the others aren't sharing - give a little money to use the systems they are hooked into?
fabzot said 3:11PM on 5-20-2009
I may agree with it being that the maps on the device not being updated manually. This should be done frequently through the home page for the product. Most of them are free for TomToms, I know. Some never knew they could be updated..
Cameron said 3:48PM on 5-20-2009
I was actually about to comment and say exactly that last line. Not caused by GPS. Caused by people NOT LOOKING WHERE THEY'RE GOING.
angie said 8:24AM on 5-20-2009
Not sure? How are you not sure whether you use a GPS or not.
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Lisa said 10:53PM on 5-20-2009
I thought the same thing! I'm quite concerned about the 92 people who responded that they don't know if they use a GPS. (Please get off the road and get a clue!) lol
Ted said 8:30AM on 5-20-2009
Accidents such as those shown were not created by GPS failure. They were caused by idiotic drivers who had their heads up their butts.
Before those dummies had GPS, they probably had to turn their road maps upside down if they were traveling south.
You just can't cure stupidity.
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thdpkr01 said 8:35AM on 5-20-2009
If you need a GPS to get around, you probably shouldn't attempt to control a 4,000 lb machine. The skill set required to control a motor vehicle are more complex than those required for map reading.
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P. Rockwell said 9:35AM on 5-20-2009
First intelligent comment on this board. Those who rely on this type of technology are sheeple, and probably want chips implanted in their heads.
bldlt1234 said 5:48PM on 5-26-2009
Its pretty stupid of you to think people shouldnt be using a GPS. Some of us, yes myself, drive 200-250 miles A DAY and see 10 different customers a day in areas I have never been too before that are miles away from my office. If I had to read a map, I wouldnt be paying attention to the road now would I, I would be reading a map. And it would take 3 times as long to get where I needed to go.
ddwag1 said 7:27PM on 5-21-2009
exactly. how can people rely on this crap 24/7
Ken said 8:43AM on 5-20-2009
GPS's in aircraft have a function referred to as RAIM, vehicles on the ground do not. The RAIM will let you know if there is a position error from where the GPS receiver actually is rather than where it thinks it's location is.
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Charlie said 9:04AM on 5-20-2009
G.A. should try learning to use spellcheck before a GPS device.
My handheld Garmin is GREAT!
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Margaret Dykes said 9:05AM on 5-20-2009
There will always be dummies that will drive off a cliff if told to. Those of you who say that anyone who needs GPS shouldn't be driving--well, you must not do much traveling is all I can say. I suppose you have built in knowledge of every major city here and in Europe.
I just moved to Pittsburgh and a more confusing city, I've ever seen -- (and I have lived in many) when I went there for a look-see before moving I knew I would have to buy a GPS. And I have found that people who were born and raised in Pittsburgh don't know their way around! I find that incredible, but I can see why. You're driving along on one street and suddenly it turns into another street and you never turned off of the first! Now that's the worst planning I have ever seen. -- just FYI--- the most logically planned city is Miami. If you can count, you can get anywhere. Avenues run North-South, Streets run East-West.
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me said 11:20AM on 5-20-2009
oh, i loved pittburgh i lived there 15 years ago and miss it but the streets where wild they whould go from one name to another then you would be driving on another street and all of a sudden theres that other street following on another street...LOL
Gloria Krawczyk said 3:08PM on 5-20-2009
You think you're confused. ! I live in Pittsburgh, and our biggest beef is the lack of signs. Sometimes there is one, sometimes there isn't. Even the GPS has broken down and cried on occasion. I turn off the sound and follow the big white arrow---the names of the streets or roads appear at the top of the GPS screen.
TROY said 9:09AM on 5-20-2009
I rode in a cab last year, and the cabbie had a GPS and the address i gave him, the GPS was off by about a block! WTF??
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Richard Dalkran said 9:28AM on 5-20-2009
What about all the other countries of the world who use our GPS system? All cruise ships including the new Queen Mary 2 and and airlines from all over the world count on the system that US taxpayers built and maintain. Do they contribute to the cost of such a vital and expensive system?
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Renzi said 9:20AM on 6-07-2009
Richard Dalkran-> Spoken like a typical ignorant American. Europe and Russia are building and maintaining their own systems, since the USAF has not been willing to relinquish any control of the GPS system. Google Galileo, GLONASS and EGNOS if you don't know what I'm talking about, which I wouldn't be at all surprised if you didn't.
It would serve you right if the GPS system falters and you'll have to come crying to Europe.