> I'm not read enough to understand exactly how the Kessler Syndrome scenario cstross proposes would interact with GPS GPS needs 24 satellites to function as p

> I'm not read enough to understand exactly how the Kessler Syndrome scenario cstross proposes would interact with GPS GPS needs 24 satellites to function as planned. (It might work with less, but 12 seem to be the minimum under optimal conditions). • If a Kessler cascade happens in the GPS satellites' orbits, it will rapidly disable existing GPS satellites, and deny access to said orbits for new satellites. Replacements could be launched into safe orbits, but this will likely take years, and those orbits will have a faster decay rate and less visibility (so you'd need even more satellites). • A Kessler cascade in LEO will likely deny access to higher orbits, so while existing GPS satellites will continue to function, they cannot be feasibly replaced once their 10-30 years life span is exhausted.