I do not know the exact answer, but the Iridium satellites (constellation of 256?) each were supposed to cost $5M/each. But any of you who actually have used Loran-C, know that is a far cry from the accuracy or reliability (due to LF propagation) as GPS.
Ed PS: I used to install them, but you could not repair them as mfr's would not release proprietary info. But then these days no one bothers to repair electronics (putting us component level tech's out to pasture - moo!).
At 06:52 AM 2/9/2010, tosca005@umn.edu wrote:
Does the US government NOT have any plans to launch any more GPS satellites?
Does the existing array of satellites in orbit have any which are not in active use, i.e. reserved for future use as backups? As I recall, each satellite has two different atomic standards on board, one is on and the other is off (or is it 3 independent standards, one rubidium and two of something else?). So, how many spare atomic standards on functional satellites do we have to keep the aging fleet going?
What is the cost of a GPS satellite launch vs. the cost savings of killing off Loran-C?
Sorry if your comments triggered more questions than answers from me...
73 de W0JT
On Feb 9 2010, w6zkh@comcast.net wrote:
In our aging fleet of GPS Satellites, which are on the brink of dying, and no replacements in sight, wonder what will happen then?? ... John W6ZKH
----- Original Message ----- From: "Clint BRADFORD" clintbradford@mac.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 3:36:58 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [amsat-bb] Good Night, Loran
In a series of small ceremonies, the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday shut down Loran-C, a navigation and timing system that has guided mariners and aviators since World War II.
...
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa@hotmail.com ======================================