GPS Outages Feared

[Aabidano]

In a press conference today (1 April 2009), a spokesman for the U.S. Air
Force GPS Wing has confirmed fears that a worldwide outage of GPS
service is likely. The current system may reach peak capacity before
the launch of the next-generation Global Positioning System Space
Segment satellites, known as GPS Block III, in 2014.

"The huge proliferation of civilian hand-held, cellphone, and
vehicle-based GPS equipment has taxed available bandwidth on the
existing satellite constellation beyond our expectations," said Major
Stan Ford Parkinson. "We expect that the transceivers in the Block III
satellites will handle the load through 2040. But there's a likelihood
of a gap -- a rolling worldwide GPS 'brown-out' -- between now and the
first launches."

The Air Force is planning a competitive procurement to study the
potentially catastrophic effects on transportation and other industries
that could occur as early as 2011. This appears to be a good use of
stimulus funds, especially if it stimulates some more far-sighted
thinking.

[Fash]

April fools...

[Aabidano]

Shhh...

[Sylvus]

I'm confused, perhaps it's going over my head, but isn't there usually a point to an April Fools joke?

Or is this for real?

[Aslanna]

I think April Fools has run its course. Especially in the age of the internet. Do they really fool anyone anymore? People need to move on!

And no it wouldn't be for real. GPS satellites just send out a signal. Whether there is 1 receiver or 20 billion it doesn't matter to them. There's no 'bandwidth' being utilized.

[Fash]

Or is this for real?

GPS devices do not 'take up bandwidth'... the entire earth could be made of GPS receivers and they'd all still work.

[Sylvus]

I still don't understand the impetus.

Usually they try to be funny or something. That's what's throwing me off.

[cadalano]

if the pitch itself isn't funny, then the only humor is if people believe it

for example, if later today a coworker warns you about the GPS brownout he heard about, then you are authorized to be amused