Is the GPS Satellite System Really at Risk?

A report recently released by the Government Accountability Office has received some significant media coverage, because it includes a warning that the GPS satellite system may be compromised as early as next year. I've read the entire, 61-page GAO report, and reviewed expert testimony on the topic.

To make a long story short, some of the satellites that provide the signals that our GPS devices need to operate are aging and approaching or exceeding the ends of their service life cycles. The Department of Defense and the Air Force (which oversees GPS) have experienced delays and cost overruns in designing, building, and launching the two newest generations of satellites.

The U.S. currently has 31 GPS satellites in orbit, and 24 are needed to provide the high level of accuracy and reliability we enjoy today. The GAO places the probability of keeping a full, 24-satellite constellation operating as low as 80 percent by year 2011. GPS satellites have been outlasting their predicted service lives, so this is likely a worst-case scenario, but the GAO was right to issue a wake-up call, and to recommend more focused leadership, and higher budget priority for the GPS updates.

Ask your congressional representatives to support GAO recommendations within the GPS report to the sub-committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs (GAO 09-325).