911 & Russia

[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/G..._Space_Segment

GLONASS 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 satellites, the same GPS 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...