+nincehelser Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I posted this question in another thread, but it probably better belongs here. After seeing a recent movie (28 Day After) I was wondering this: Suppose something happened where the GPS system could no longer be maintained...no monitoring, no corrections, no updates...complete silence from the earth...the sats are completely on their own. How long could the GPS system remain functional or reliable? Hours, Days, Weeks, Longer? Thanks George Quote Link to comment
Kerry. Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 The block IIA sats are designed to provide 180 days of operation without Control Segment contact. However over this time accuracy will slowly degrade. The current generation block IIR sats of which there are 8 in orbit (more to follow) are designed for 14 days non contact in standard mode and up to 180 days in autonmous navigation mode. In this auto mode direct communication between each of the block IIR's maintain system parameters. Apart from the main control centre at Schriver, there is also a backup Control centre away from Schriver that operates 4 times a year to ensure readiness as well as the pre-launch satellite check-out facility at Cape Canaveral that can act in a limited control role. Cheers, Kerry. I never get lost everybody keeps telling me where to go Quote Link to comment
+st_richardson Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 It's amazing the wealth of knowledge available on this forum. I would of thought a question like that would of gone unanswered for awhile. Instead we have an informed response in about a half an hour. Quote Link to comment
+jollybgood Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I would think replacing the double A's in those sats would be a pain in the butt. Jolly R. Blackburn http://kenzerco.com "Never declare war on a man who buys his ink by the gallon." Quote Link to comment
+wickedsprint Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 I was wondering the same thing, after reading "the stand", made me wonder how long I could remain unlost...oh well..I thought would have been longer...now what they need is a mini Inertial Nav setup...that would be badass. Quote Link to comment
TNRonin Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 Good info, merci buckets! Quote Link to comment
+Team GeoCan Posted July 16, 2003 Share Posted July 16, 2003 The whole system would be GONE in a few years if all contact was lost, No orbit corrections, means orbital decay. Eventually they all re-enter. But then if NO signal up, who is DOWN to use them? Trash-out, EVERYtime Quote Link to comment
+hutchca Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 What if all the control segment equipment was operational but no people at the controls? All the computers and the uplink still running, just no manual input. I imagine most of the data and corrections sent from the control station are automated. [This message was edited by Chuck & Kris on July 17, 2003 at 10:54 AM.] Quote Link to comment
+TEAM 360 Posted July 17, 2003 Share Posted July 17, 2003 OH MY GOD! That would mean I have to learn how to use one of those....I mean....a...a...MAP! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted July 18, 2003 Share Posted July 18, 2003 quote:Originally posted by TEAM 360:OH MY GOD! That would mean I have to learn how to use one of those....I mean....a...a...MAP! AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Don't worry. If society is that far gone you will be more interested in if the dude approaching you is on your kill on sight because it would make your life easier list. Besides if you run out of bullets you can beat him to death with your GPS. Quote Link to comment
The Falcon Posted July 19, 2003 Share Posted July 19, 2003 Originally posted by wickedsprint:I was wondering the same thing, after reading "the stand"...QUOTE] Someone should make multis of all the trips of the main characters. ===== It is the tale, not he who tells it." Quote Link to comment
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