[C320-list] Raymarine GPS fix?

[Jon Vez]

Thanks for the facts from someone who knows! 

Regards,

Jon Vez
Solstice #582

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Andrew
Santangelo
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:34 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Raymarine GPS fix?

Jeff and All,

I have to chime in on this since I work in the space business and have  
worked at various times in the GPS program.

In a nut shell here is what I can say:

(a) Yes the satellites are past their design life time.  However this  
is not bad.  They are working and working very well. In actuality the  
Air Force has a plan for replacing the satellites in their current  
series (GPS II) - there are several satellites in storage still and  
under contract to be built.  Why is that? Because the satellites in  
space are lasting a lot longer.  Hence no need to launch the  
replacements if the current batch is working.  Now as more go faulty  
then the Air Force will launch the a replacement GPS II Satellite.   
The problem with this is several small satellites like to piggy back  
on the launch vehicle carrying the replacement GPS satellite, and if  
it is not launched they do not get a ride up into space.

(b) GPS III is behind for several reasons. (1) They are trying a lot  
of new things and the FAA is involved (a little bit).  (2) The current  
satellites work well. (3) If the current satellites work well, there  
is no instant rush to replace them and hence the government saves  
money.  (4) With the added time buffer, more "features" get added to  
the satellite.

(c) The U.S. Military relying on Russian Satellites?????? I will bet  
my life savings on that one - it will NEVER HAPPEN.  Trust me - a  
warship, aircraft, UAV or soldier depending on a Russian Satellite in  
battle will never, ever happen unless we are fighting the Klingons or  
something of that sort.  You can bet the U.S. Government will have GPS  
satellites in space.

(d) GPS satellites are backwards compatible.  My GPS circa 1996 on my  
boat works fine.  My GPS circa 1999 in one of my old cars works fine.   
Now - the government sometimes blacks out signals for whatever reason  
they choose.  And our electronics do break down - we are in a marine  
environment.


I hope this helps clear the air a little bit.

Best Regards,
Andrew

C320 "Dawn Treader"
#333


On Aug 19, 2009, at 1:06 PM, Jon Vez wrote:

> Jeff,
>
> I don't believe this has anything to do with it, but I recently read  
> a very
> sobering article regarding the state of the GPS satellites.  
> Apparently most
> are past there designed life and although the system was designed to  
> have 4
> satellites as spares, some have failed. The replacement satellites  
> are well
> behind schedule and due to budget issues the timeline is something  
> like 2014
> at the earliest for replacements--at which time the system may no  
> longer be
> operable. There is talk about using the Russian satellites if there  
> is a
> gap...not sure if others have heard this, but if true, we may be  
> back to DR
> (exclusively) soon ;) I think the article was in a recent Sail or  
> Cruising
> world....
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
> Solstice #582