GPS system 'close to breakdown'

6:38 AM Mon 25 May 2009 GMT
US government officials are concerned that the quality of the Global Positioning System (GPS) could begin to deteriorate as early as next year, resulting in regular blackouts and failures - or even dishing out inaccurate directions to millions of people worldwide.

The warning centres on the network of GPS satellites that constantly orbit the planet and beam signals back to the ground that help pinpoint your position on the Earth's surface.

The satellites are overseen by the US Air Force, which has maintained the GPS network since the early 1990s. According to a study by the US government accountability office (GAO), mismanagement and a lack of investment means that some of the crucial GPS satellites could begin to fail as early as next year.

'It is uncertain whether the Air Force will be able to acquire new satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption,' said the report, presented to Congress. 'If not, some military operations and some civilian users could be adversely affected.'

The first replacement GPS satellite was due to launch at the beginning of 2007, but has been delayed several times and is now scheduled to go into orbit in November this year - almost three years late.

The failings of GPS could also play into the hands of other countries - including opening the door to Galileo, the European-funded attempt to rival America's satellite navigation system, which is scheduled to start rolling out later next year.

full story: www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/may/19/gps-close-to-breakdown

by The Guardian

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