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We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. Maybe that can scale up? Also maybe the nodes could have some kind of magnetic ram scoop design to cover a larg

We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. Maybe that can scale up? Also maybe the nodes could have some kind of magnetic ram scoop design to cover a larger area and funnel the particles through.

jsjohnst 8y ago
> We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. Maybe that can scale up? Source for this? It was my understanding they weren’t, hence why the almanac data is so important, but I’m not positive that assumption is valid so I’d love a source to back up your claim.
- dmckinney 8y ago
  Almanac is important for receivers to optimized what vehicles to track and when. The ground stations comment is the correct answer. https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GPS_Ground_Segment#The_Monitor_Stations https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GPS_Ground_Segment#...
jandrese 8y ago
We aren't redirecting streams of high energy particles with GPS satellites.
phkahler 8y ago
>> We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. I think it's more like GPS orbits are precisely known, not so precisely controlled. If you have fixed ground stations the GPS sats can accurately figure out where they are (like GPS in reverse). If the GPS sats can transmit their location and time accurately, your receiver can figure out your position accurately. The only thing that needs to be well controlled in this is the ground stations locations, which are not moving.
- graycat 8y ago
  Yup, early in my career I worked in the group, at the JHU/APL, that did the satellite location calculations for the Navy's version of GPS. One of the research projects to help with this, actually in effect to have carefully controlled orbits, was a "drag free" satellite. Basically just put the satellite in a ball. Then the ball still has drag, but the satellite does not. Sure, soon as the satellite without drag moves with respect to the ball that does, have to tweak the orbit of the ball to keep the drag free satellite at the center of the ball.

jsjohnst 8y ago

> We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. Maybe that can scale up? Source for this? It was my understanding they weren’t, hence why the almanac data is so important, but I’m not positive that assumption is valid so I’d love a source to back up your claim.

dmckinney 8y ago
Almanac is important for receivers to optimized what vehicles to track and when. The ground stations comment is the correct answer. https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GPS_Ground_Segment#The_Monitor_Stations https://gssc.esa.int/navipedia/index.php/GPS_Ground_Segment#...

jandrese 8y ago

We aren't redirecting streams of high energy particles with GPS satellites.

phkahler 8y ago

>> We keep gps sattelites in a very precise orbit. I think it's more like GPS orbits are precisely known, not so precisely controlled. If you have fixed ground stations the GPS sats can accurately figure out where they are (like GPS in reverse). If the GPS sats can transmit their location and time accurately, your receiver can figure out your position accurately. The only thing that needs to be well controlled in this is the ground stations locations, which are not moving.

graycat 8y ago
Yup, early in my career I worked in the group, at the JHU/APL, that did the satellite location calculations for the Navy's version of GPS. One of the research projects to help with this, actually in effect to have carefully controlled orbits, was a "drag free" satellite. Basically just put the satellite in a ball. Then the ball still has drag, but the satellite does not. Sure, soon as the satellite without drag moves with respect to the ball that does, have to tweak the orbit of the ball to keep the drag free satellite at the center of the ball.