GPS System Failure?

[camaraderie]

The ACTUAL...GAO report is here:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09325.pdf

1. Much scaremongering in the newspapers.
2. Actual 20% chance of some loss of service which CAN be mitigated IF things do NOT go as projected by DOD.
3. The GAO was right to call attention to this and the screw ups that have happened.
4. Now it will get the attention it needs to make sure this doesn't hapen.

As for the solar events...all the scientific data I have seen is that WORST case is loss of signal for less than an hour in LIMITED geographic areas.

I believe but am not sure anymore that 4 satellites are necessary for a fix with altitude...but only 3 are needed for a positional fix for the surface.

Another conspiracy theory which should be considered is that Obama is planning on cutting ALL support for Loran...and the timing of this report is a ploy to help make the case for investment in a backup system to GPS by those who oppose the Loran cut. Who the hell knows. I just know that the gov't will NEVER let the GPS system degrade...especially when politicians will get blamed! It just needed to be called out as an emergency to get the $$ and attention re-focused.

[sww914]

Looks like another swine flu to me.