Saved by Iridium? An Alternative to GPS

<p>The Department of Defense (DoD) has depended on different space-based assets as critical components to battlefield operations. As technology has evolved space-based assets have become the eyes and ears of the military. Unfortunately these assets have become one of the most vulnerable U.S. infrastructures. In 1995 the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) a complex and sophisticated space-based asset became fully operational providing accurate reliable and secure information on position navigation and timing to the joint force. The joint force uses GPS navigation to locate objectives and coordinate movement of ground forces and supplies. In addition cruise missiles smart bombs and artillery projectiles currently use GPS to guide them to enemy target coordinates. GPS also provides a timing element that has become critical for the military in communications computer networks combat planes and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Space-based technologies reach down into everyday military activity so interrupting service immediately degrades operations. GPS capabilities are great and adversaries may be quick to deny or degrade them. Currently there is not an alternative to GPS for ground air sea or space operations. The methods of operating with a degradation or loss of GPS are contingent on the type of operation whether it is land sea air or space; as the current backup alternatives to GPS can only support one operation at the time. For this reason it is critical for the joint force to have at least one backup alternative. At this time the only alternative appears to be space-based as a space-based alternative can provide simultaneous global coverage more affordably and accurately on PNT to the entire joint force. The most feasible potential space-based alternative to GPS is the existing commercial Iridium system a sixty-six satellite communication constellation in low-earth orbit under a program known as the high integrity GPS or iGPS. This constella</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>