Global Navigation Satellite Systems Engineering, Policy, and Design
GLONASS Tracks Father FrostAs GLONASS approaches completion, it’s no surprise that the Russian counterpart to GPS has gotten into more popular applications of GNSS technology — even Santa-tracking.
For more than 50 years, the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) has followed the travels of the Christmas gift-bearer from his North Pole headquarters. The Santa-tracking operation can be viewed online.
By Inside GNSS
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and European Space Council co-chair Sabine Laruelle, Belgian science minister. Photo: ESA – S. CorvajaWhile funding and technical issues continue to roil the waters at the program and operational level, Galileo and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) have received a strong reaffirmation of support from the highest levels of the European Union (EU) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
By Inside GNSS
(From top) GPS Block I, Block IA, Block II, Block IIAA 20-year-old GPS Block IIA satellite designated as space vehicle number 23 (SVN23) is setting new records in longevity among the durable spacecraft of the Global Positioning System.
Built by Boeing (formerly Rockwell Corporation) and launched on November 26, 1990, SVN23 has operated longer than any other GPS satellites — far exceeding its design life of 7.5 years. Set healthy shortly after launch for navigation and timing use, the GPS Directorate (formerly GPS Wing) at Los Angeles Air Force Base predicts that the satellite will last another 12–18 months.
By Inside GNSS
District of Columbia Court of Appeals in Washington D.C., USASecret tracking using GPS may be simple, undetectable and cheap — but appeals courts can’t decide if it’s constitutional.
In 1791, when the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, it certainly seemed specific enough for the needs of the time. The new Americans were tired of colonial powers freely searching and seizing, with general warrants that were as full of holes as Swiss cheese.
By Inside GNSS
The Institute of Navigation (ION) has released volume seven of its Global Positioning Systems Redbook, a collection of technical papers on integrated systems including — but not exclusively limited to — GPS.
By Inside GNSS
Antonio TajaniAmid continuing debate over how to handle budgetary shortfalls in building a European GNSS, the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a €194 million ($270.5 million) contract on October 25 with SpaceOpal to provide space- and ground-based services to operate the Galileo constellation once it has been fully deployed.
By Inside GNSS
Broadcom Corporation reports that for the first time it has been able to compute GNSS positions, using the first Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) spacecraft. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) launched the Quasi-Zenith Satellite–1 (nicknamed Michibiki) on September 11 and recently started transmitting the QZSS ephemeris (orbital location coordinates).
By Inside GNSS
The 8th GeoForm+ trade fair will take place at EcoCentre Sokoniki in Moscow, Russia from March 15 through March 18, 2011.
It includes these specialized exhibitions of interest to Inside GNSS readers:
GeoMap covers geodesy, cartography and geographic information management systems.
GeoWAY covers GLONASS and GPS, intelligent transporation systems on land and sea, AUTOSPUTNIK and navigation using the GPS system.
By Inside GNSS
The annual AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America conference and exhibition will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. from August 16 through 19 2011.
It features 100 technical panels and presentations, workshops and poster session on the state of the unmanned systems market. It covers military, civil and commercial applications for air, ground and maritime vehicles
The industry exhibition includes more than 450 companies.
By Inside GNSS
The U.S. Air Force will inactivate its GPS Wing at Los Angeles Air Force Base on Wednesday (November 10) and replace it with the Global Positioning Systems Directorate.
Reflecting mostly the taxonomy and naming conventions of military commands and organization, the new designation is expected to bring little change in the new organization’s leadership or scope of responsibilities, although the organization will no longer have headquarters status. Air Force Groups will become Divisions and Squadrons, Branches.
By Inside GNSS
GLONASS Launch on September 2, 2010With activation of three modernized GLONASS (GLONASS-M) satellites launched on September 2 and plans to put four more space vehicles (SVs) into orbit before the end of this year, the Russian GNSS system will have more than enough spacecraft for an FOC declaration in the not-too-distant future.
By Inside GNSS
Residenz entrance, familiar to Munich Satellite Navigation Summit attendees.The 2011 Munich Satellite Navigation Summit will take place from March 1 through 3 in Der Residenz, the palace of the old Bavarian royal family and now home to four museums.
The event features high-level discussions about all of the world’s navigation satellite systems. It is organized by the Institute of Geodesy and Navigation at University FAF Munich.
The technical program begines with a plenary presentation on "GNSS in Balance," followed by a Bavarian State Reception.
By Inside GNSS
Artist’s illustration of GPS III. Lockheed Martin imageThe Aerospace Corporation has completed acceptance testing on the GPS III Bus Real Time Simulator (BRTS) from the Lockheed Martin–led team developing the next-generation satellite program, keeping the initiative ahead of schedule.
The BRTS is a specialized piece of test equipment designed to reduce risk and ensure overall mission success for the lifecycle of the GPS III program. The simulator will enable Aerospace Corporation to independently validate GPS III bus flight software for the U.S. Air Force.
By Inside GNSS
