[Leica] Re: GPS

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

On 2/25/07 3:22 PM, "Marc James Small" <marcsmall@comcast.net> typed:

> At 02:32 PM 2/25/2007, Adam Bridge wrote:
>> The GPS constellation orbits about 12,000 miles above the surface, NOT
>> in low Earth orbit. The satellite the Chinese hit was about 500 miles
>> up. This is useful for hitting spy satellites but getting up to 12,000
>> miles is a different kettle of fish and MUCH  more difficult. There's
>> a reason they are that high.
>> 
>> Add in the ESA constellation at 14,000 miles or so and you have a
>> difficult problem. Vehicles built to reach either constellation are
>> NOT aircraft launchable and I think they are sufficiently large as to
>> be not portable-launch either.
>> 
>> Since shooting at either constellation would be a serious act of war
>> in and of itself a ballistic response to the launch sites would be
>> possible and likely. I believe no nation on the planet has the launch
>> capability to go after the constellations at one time. The launch
>> facilities would be unlikely to survive a reload. So you might hit a
>> segment of GPS or Galileo's capability but you'd be hard pressed to
>> get a lot of them.
> 
> All excellent points, Adam.  However:
> 
> The Red Chinese do not have the capability to
> take out the GPS satellites TODAY.  They are
> working to have that capability within a decade
> and may well do so.  We also do not know what
> effect EMP will have on the GPS grid.  The recent
> test was just a first trial of what appears to be a lengthy program.
> 
> The Chinese would only take out the GPS
> satellites if war with the US were imminent.  It
> would be an act of war.  They would only do this
> to hinder our ability to bomb their cities and
> installations, which would also be an act of
> war.  I do not believe that the PRC is actively
> working towards war;  it simply seems committed
> to maintaining peace by being prepared for war.
> 
> US defense analysts have been quite concerned
> over this for the past decade or so.  That's why
> the military services continue to use celestial
> navigation as a back-up system.
> 
> Sobering thoughts.
> 
> msmall@aya.yale.edu
> Cha robh b?s fir gun ghr?s fir!
> 
> 
> 
Yes but all the millions of GPS using Chinese would really get ticked off
and they vote.
The Chinese military are making sure they are GPS non dependant?
I think that would be tricky as of late you cant get a leather strap for
case which is not GPS dependent. I think my new shoe laces are GPS
dependant.


Mark Rabiner
8A/109s
New York, NY

markrabiner.com