GNSS

US critical infrastructure sectors at risk from GPS

The US Department of Homeland Security has released a summary report on its evaluation of the risks to US critical infrastructure from GPS disruptions. The report states, “US critical infrastructure sectors are increasingly at risk from a growing dependency on GPS for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. Such dependencies are not always apparent.”The report further states, “Detecting, locating, and disabling sources of GPS disruption remain a challenge,” adding, “Economic losses, lowered consumer confidence, and safety-of-life issues are possible consequences to sectors from extensive GPS disruptions. www.GPS.gov

IRNSS-1A, India’s First Navigation Satellite successfully launched

ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C22, successfully launched IRNSS- 1A, the first satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) on July 2, 2013) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India. After a flight of 20 minutes 17 seconds, the IRNSS-1A Satellite, weighing 1425 kg, was injected to the intended elliptical orbit of 282.46 km X 20,625.37 km.

After injection, the solar panels of IRNSS-1A were deployed automatically. ISRO’s Master Control Facility (at Hassan, Karnataka) assumed the control of the satellite. All Navigation and Ranging Payload In Orbit Tests (IOT) are completed and all operations are normal. www.isro.gov.in

Russia to launch two GLONASS satellites after Proton disaster

“We are planning to launch two satellites from the Plesetsk space center [in northern Russia] to replenish the GLONASS orbital grouping following the recent Proton-M accident,” said Nikolai Testoyedov, the head of the Information Satellite Systems (ISS) company, which manufactures satellites for the GLONASS project. The first GLONASS is scheduled for launch in the beginning of September, and the second at the end of October, according to Testoyedov.

Russia loses $200 million satellites

Russian rocket carrying three navigation satellites worth around $200 million crashed shortly after liftoff from the Russian-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan after its engines suddenly switched off. Russian Prime Minster Dmitry Medvedev, who has said that Russia has lost 10 satellites in seven failed launches in just over one year, ordered tighter controls put in place to avoid more embarrassing mishaps, his spokeswoman told Interfax. http://uk.reuters.com

Foreign airlines urged to use GPS at San Francisco

Federal aviation officials in US have advised all foreign airlines to use a GPS system instead of visual reckoning and cockpit instruments when landing at San Francisco International Airport in the wake of the deadly Asiana Airlines crash. The FAA issued the recommendation involving main runways at the airport, saying in a statement that it took the action after noticing an increase in aborted landings at the airport by some foreign carriers flying visual approaches into the airport. http://abcnews.go.com

GPS flaw could let terrorists hijack ships, planes

Captain Andrew Schofield and Todd Humphreys, a GPS expert at the University of Texas, used a GPS flaw to take control of the sophisticated navigation system aboard an $80 million, 210-foot super-yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. The world’s GPS system is vulnerable to hackers or terrorists who could use it to hijack ships — even commercial airliners, according to a frightening new study that exposes a huge potential hole in national security.

Using a laptop, a small antenna and an electronic GPS “spoofer” built for $3,000, GPS expert Todd Humphreys and his team at the University of Texas took control of the sophisticated navigation system aboard an $80 million, 210-foot super-yacht in the Mediterranean Sea. www.foxnews.com

Precise GPS measurement finds 117 km difference in Indo-Nepal border

Precise measurement using GPS has found that Indo-Nepal border is 117 km longer than previously believed. The latest survey has estimated the Indo- Nepal border was closer to 1,868 km, 117 km more than the official length of 1,751 km. An official emphasized it was technology – and not a change in the location of border pillars that stretched the Indo-Nepal borders. Previously, surveyors used to walk along the border with metal chains measuring short lengths and then adding them up. This time the surveyors used GPS to measure angles and distances. www.hindustantimes.com

AAI starts training staff on GPSbased navigation system

Moving a step closer towards implementation of satellite-based navigation system, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has started training its staff to familiarize them with GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation system (GAGAN). AAI had organised a threeday workshop-cum-training session for about 40 senior, instructor level, officials at the Civil Aviation Training College at Allahabad. www.thehindubusinessline.com

GPS for safety of houseboats in Kerala, India

A GPS-based fleet safety management system will be introduced for houseboats, the mascot of Kerala Tourism. The system will track houseboats and ensure the safety and security of tourists while they cruise the backwaters. Besides tracking and locating houseboats on a GIS map and timely emergency response, the route travelled by a houseboat can also be “geofenced” to receive alerts on any route violations. www.thehindu.com

Lawmakers oppose Roskosmos funding reduction and GLONASS system scrapping

Members of the State Duma demand from the government to prevent reduction of Roskosmos programs funding, since it may lead to a scrap to GLONASS system functioning and Vostochny booster side building.

According to the minutes of the Duma Committee on Industry, adopted after the meeting with Roskosmos head Vladimir Popovkin, the proposal is to reduce budget funding of the state space program of Russia in 2014 for 11.7 billion rubles, in 2015 – for 13.5 billion rubles and for 40 billion rubles in 2016. In addition to this, the federal space program of Russia for 2006-2015 /FSP- 2015/ already lacks of 10.5 billion rubles funding, and this year there has been a 2.3 billion rubles additional reduction in R&D under this program. http://indrus.in