911 & Russia

[Eric P]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/22/fcc-weighs-plan-to-use-russian-satellite-network-for-11-system-raising-security/?intcmp=latestnews

I do not follow international politics as well as I used to, but didn't obama impose trade sanctions on them? So why is he allowing a federal agency, other than NASA, to do business with that country? And do we really need to outsource this?

[ruthabagah]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/22/fcc-weighs-plan-to-use-russian-satellite-network-for-11-system-raising-security/?intcmp=latestnews

I do not follow international politics as well as I used to, but didn't obama impose trade sanctions on them? So why is he allowing a federal agency, other than NASA, to do business with that country? And do we really need to outsource this?

Answer to the third part of your post: Yes. We need it. It's a a question of quantity: the more the merrier. 24 GPS satellites + 24 glonass give you a better chance to have a minimum of 5 satellites "visible" and will improve the reliability of the system and finally give a better 3d location.

Also, this is old news since most GPS chips have been Glonass compatible for a while... I think the Iphone 4, was the first phone to carry one.

Until the more powerful European Gallileo system is introduced (if ever....), this is the best solution.

[Big E3]

I hope Putin says no go unless BO drops that stupid EO that bans importation of Russian AK's. Mostly because I want to see BO try to justify dropping his ban to his anti gun crowd.

So are these Russian communication satellites already in position over the US?

[mcantar18c]

So are these Russian communication satellites already in position over the US?

I'd bet on it.

I wonder how high "US Airspace" (or any designated/claimed airspace for that matter) goes.

[TheBelly]

I'd bet on it.

I wonder how high "US Airspace" (or any designated/claimed airspace for that matter) goes.

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say its around the 50 mile mark.

[Ridge]

I hope Putin says no go unless BO drops that stupid EO that bans importation of Russian AK's. Mostly because I want to see BO try to justify dropping his ban to his anti gun crowd.

So are these Russian communication satellites already in position over the US?

Putin doesn't care. Obama didn't ban AKs to hurt the Russian economy. If he wanted to do that, he'd have banned vodka.

[spqrzilla]

Unless it is in geosynchronous orbit, its pretty likely that any satellite will cover the United States at some point in its orbit.

[Big E3]

I would think to be availible at all times for use in 911 calls it would need to be in geosynchronous orbit. So when I was always thinking that the NSA was using spy satelites to keep an eye on us, it is the Russians I should be worried about.

[68Charger]

I would think to be availible at all times for use in 911 calls it would need to be in geosynchronous orbit. So when I was always thinking that the NSA was using spy satelites to keep an eye on us, it is the Russians I should be worried about.

You're making an assumption that they must remain connected to the same satellite... GPS (and GLONASS) use a lower orbit, and signals will switch between satellites as signals are acquired, they form a pattern and as one goes out of range, another will come in range to take it's place.
You can see specifics of comparison here: http://www.navipedia.net/index.php/GLONASS_Space_Segment


GLONASS (http://www.navipedia.net/index.php/GLONASS_General_Introduction) satellites operate in circular orbits at an altitude of 19100-km, an inclination of 64.8 deg and each satellite completes the orbit in approximately 11 hours 15 minutes. This means that for a stationary observer the same satellite is visible at the same point in the sky every eight sidereal days. Since there are eight satellites in each orbital plane, satellite positions in the sky get repeated each (although by different satellites). With the 11 h 58 min orbital period for GPS (http://www.navipedia.net/index.php/GPS_General_Introduction) satellites, the same GPS (http://www.navipedia.net/index.php/GPS_General_Introduction) satellite is visible at the same point in the sky every (sidereal) day.

so they pass by every 11.25 hours- and when 1 goes over the horizion, there is a new one to take it's place.

From the original article, they wouldn't rely on GLONASS for location, just using it to improve resolution.
I don't see a problem with that unless there's a security hole that could be exploited...