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AP Fake News
There’s no comment section for this article, so I’ll vent here. My comments are in bold.
Why do men have a reputation for never asking for directions, even when they’re lost? Is it because they’re macho, or just don’t like maps? Why do we enjoy the hunt over finding the prize?
Technology has made that debate moot with the invention of GPS — the Global Positioning System.
The history of GPS isn’t that old, but it is fascinating.
In 1973, the U.S. Department of Defense launched the first of a fleet of 31 satellites circling 12,550 miles above the globe.
No – GPS was initially formulated in 1973. The first satellite carrying a rubidium atomic clock, NTS-1 (for Navigation Technology Satellite), was launched in 1974. The first satellite carrying a cesium atomic clock, NTS-2, was launched in 1977. GPS Block 1 (test) satellites were launched from 1978-85. The first operational, Block 2, satellite was launched in 1989.
Each satellite has a built-in atomic clock, synchronized with the ground station and the other satellites. The satellites constantly transmit data about their time and location and GPS “receivers” (in your car and phone) pick up the signals from at least four satellites to compute your location.
The GPS system was initially only for military use. But after Korean Airlines flight 007 was shot down for straying into Russian airspace, President Ronald Reagan issued an order making the system available for civilians.
No, GPS was always intended for both civilian and military use. But only the military was willing to fund the early development. TI was selling the civilian 4100 receiver beginning in 1981, two years before KAL 007 was shot down.
The MSM wonders why we don’t trust them when they can’t get the simplest facts correct.
Published in Science & Technology
I have made some expensive mistakes (in terms of finding my bicycle campground destination before dark) by getting mixed up on east vs. west. I wouldn’t have that problem with north or south, and probably not with right vs left.
Except for when the Air Force mandates that troops can no longer call their own CAS in, that it has to be done by an AF JFAC, and that cat doesn’t know that when you swap out the batteries and the GPS re-initializes, it’ll send your grid to the JDAM, not the previous grid that was your target’s location.
Tragic. Thanks for the link.