Why GPS Should Embrace Privatization To Avoid Obsolescence – Forbes

by | May 24, 2022 | Blog

Blog Editor’s Note: An interesting thought piece. 

In the long run, there are probably much less expensive and more capable satnav options than GPS, both for civilians and warfighters.

And if we are going to do head in that direction as a nation, we should do it as a part of the integrated National PNT Architecture DOD and DOT described in 2008. One with space and terrestrial assets that reinforce each other and help ensure all Americans always have the vital PNT services they need when and where they need them.

Getting there, though, will take prolonged government attention, leadership, and some amount of funding. 

At the moment, we don’t see many indications of the kind of concern within the administration that would be needed for such an effort. 

 

 

SCIENCE

Why GPS Should Embrace Privatization To Avoid Obsolescence

Charles Beames

Contributor
I write about the future of the commercial space industry.
Most people think they have GPS in their iPhone, but they do not. What is in our smartphones is a component that’s just a small part of a vast architecture of satellites and ground stations, all of which were built, deployed, and maintained by the US Air Force during the Cold War to assure military navigation during a nuclear Winter. The Space Force continues maintaining this capability for the nations today, at a cost of about $2B annually courtesy of the American taxpayer.

 

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