Image: GPS III Lockheed Martin
What’s New: A thought piece by RNTF member Mitch Narins.
Why It’s Important: He raises the issue of some folks focusing on GNSS, others on PNT and ensuring users have it.
What Else to Know:
- We are glad to see more non-GNSS papers and discussions at events like ION’s 2024 GNSS+ next month. One of the two opening keynotes is even about sailing around the world without GNSS! Still, the vast majority of the conference is GNSS related.
- We understand folks’ preference for working with existing technology, shying away from policy discussions, and trying to change paradigms. Engineering and technology are hard, but they are logical, linear, and things that are correct and incorrect can eventually be sorted out. Policy development (politics) is equally difficult if not more so. It is often driven by human prejudices and emotions rather than hard data. It is non-linear, not logical, and things are rarely clearly either correct or incorrect. It can be crazy-making.
If not GNSS, then what?
An interesting question.
To some, it means GNSS is so important and unique that without it, all is lost. They enthusiastically support only GNSS-centric research and development, believing that any issues that GNSS has today — such as lack of resilience — can be resolved given enough time and money. It includes pushing for the discontinuance of ground-based systems and the “re-purposing” of their resources to produce more satellites and more space-based signals. It demonstrates an admirable and true dedication to the belief that GNSS is the mission.
To others, these words have a different and darker meaning, warning of a clear and present danger. To them, it means “When (not if) GNSS is not available, what other source(s) of positioning, navigation and timing services (PNT) will be available to support GNSS users’ missions and goals?” For these purpose-driven individuals, GNSS is a means — not the mission, which is to provide the necessary positioning, navigation and/or timing performance, such as accuracy, availability, integrity, continuity and coverage, required to ensure the nation’s safety, security and economic well-being.
