China launches navigation satellite
China launched Beidou-2 (or Compass- G2) – their second geostationary navigation satellite recently. The Compass constellation comprises 31 satellites – 27 MEO satellites and 4 geostationaries. BeiDou-2 is reported to have a lifespan of 8 years. The first phase of the project will provide coverage for Chinese territory – ultimately giving global cover. www.nasaspaceflight.com

Obama proposes terminating system that backs up GPS

In his fiscal 2010 budget, President Obama killed funding for a system that would back up the much relied on GPS if it failed, despite calls from the telecom industry and federal agencies that it is needed. The Homeland Security Department (DHS) endorsed Loran-C a year ago as a backup for the satellite-based GPS, but in its fiscal 2010 budget, the department zeroed out funding for the system. www.nextgov.com

Delhi Police to use GPS & GIS
HCL Infosystems revamped the infrastructure of Delhi Police with ICTdriven tools. The GPS-based solution will facilitate routing of emergency calls directly to PCR vehicle network operators for the scenarios that include traffic congestion, medical assistance and fire, as well as crime-in-progress situations. www.hclinfosystems.com

Solutions SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc. has partnered with M/A-COM Technology Solutions, Inc. to help create the networked GPS module that provides location information to vehicle-based communications and entertainment systems. SiRF also introduced the GSC3e/LPa single-chip GPS receiver, which is the fi rst SiRFstarIII architecture product.

Associate members representing key GNSS user communities – including the US, Russia, European Union, China, India, and Japan – met at the 3rd meeting of the International Committee on GNSS (ICG-3), a voluntary UN backed association that brings together GNSS and augmentation providers. An appeal for collaborative efforts that would move beyond interoperability to “interchangeability” was made.

Coastal navigation upgrade
The UK’s General Lighthouse Authorities (GLAs) have awarded a £4m contract to VT Communications for the upgrade of 14 Differential Global Positioning Service reference stations. The upgrade includes adding the capability to use modernised GPS signals that will be needed for tracking the future satellite navigations systems, Galileo and GLONASS. www.vtplc.com

The issue of FDI in GPS systems came up recently in a series of meetings held by the foreign investment promotion board (FIPB). Of late, many Indian companies have evinced interest to manufacture GPS devices in joint venture with foreign counterparts. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Govt Approves Modern Navigation Project GAGAN
In a bid to provide seamless navigation over the Indian airspace and waters, the Indian government has approved the implementation of a Rs 774-crore GPS aided futuristic project. The GPS aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) project would place India in a select group of nations, like the US, Europe and Japan, to possess such a system that would not only guide aircraft over its airspace, but also provide them straight-line fuel-efficient routes and precision approach landings.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of this project which is being developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Airports Authority of India. The GAGAN system would provide coverage of oceanic areas, which is not possible by the terrestrial systems that are in place now.

It would also improve airport and airspace access in all-weather conditions and provide precision-landing approaches to aircraft even at airports, where Instrument Landing Systems do not exist. Press Trust of India

GLONASS-K Birds go into production
Information Satellite Systems – Reshetnev Co. has begun the production of the K-series of GLONASS satellites for Russia. The first launch of a GLONASSK satellite is scheduled for launch in 2010, according to Russia’s Federal Space Agency. GLONASSK is the third generation of Russia’s GLONASS positioning satellites. In contrast to GLONASS and GLONASS- M satellites, which have relatively short service lives of only a few years, GLONASS-K has a planned service life of 12 years, a depressurized platform, and a decreased weight, according to Reshetnev.

In-Stat expects Chinese GPS handset market to grow rapidly

According to In-Stat, “the Chinese GPS phone market is still small and has low penetration, but its high growth rate is a clear signal of its development, as is the fact that it is starting to have an impact on the growth of the PND market”. The findings of this report shows shipments of GPS phones will exceed 5 million in 2009 and will account for about 10% of total mobile phone shipments in 2012, compared to 0.6% in 2007. In 2008, more mainstream handset manufacturers have begun GPS phone production, and the number of models available will be at least three times that of those in 2007.