New GPS satellite launched

From the Google Earth blog: "Last week, the U.S. Air Force launched a new satellite (the GPS IIF SV-1), the first in a series of launches aimed at replacing all 24 existing satellites over the next 10 years.

These new satellites offer a variety of enhancements over the existing ones. The most important part of this project is to simply replace them. Numerous reports are concerned that the existing network may begin to fail due to age. This will obviously remedy that. In addition, these new satellites will provide a stronger, more accurate signal. Rather than the roughly 20 foot accuracy that you currently receive, the new ones will allow for accuracy down to about 3 feet. In addition, the stronger signal will help more GPS units to function properly indoors, which could be a big boost for various augmented reality tools that are beginning to find their way into the marketplace. The launch of the next satellite (GPS IIF SV-2) is scheduled for November, 2010."

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Mark Colwell June 4, 2010 at 5:24pm

Hopefully AF will delay each phase as long as possible to include better technology that may evolve in next 10 (30) years. I'll bet they can do some other things besides GPS with a nice world wide 24/7 capability.
Jack Crossfire June 3, 2010 at 11:25am

Like we said on Gizmodo last week, 10 years means 30 years.
Overwatch June 2, 2010 at 11:44pm

Let's hope the Chinese won't try anymore ASATs so we won't have to dress our GPS sats in 5" of armor.
Ryan June 2, 2010 at 11:12pm

Everytime one of those things goes off, the "Sphincter Factor" is really high! LOL

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