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> they almost certainly have one or more GPS receivers onboard. Wait, GPS works in space (LEO)?! Will that have required customisation?
by orra 5y ago
> they almost certainly have one or more GPS receivers onboard.
Wait, GPS works in space (LEO)?! Will that have required customisation?
- caf 5y agoFrom the point of view of the GPS satellites, LEO and the Earth's surface are almost the same thing. The GPS constellation is a lot further away.
- orra 5y agoFair point about relative distances.
- nielu 5y agoIt does require special receivers, but AFAIK the only special thing in them is the removed speed/altitude limitation that exists in regular of the shelf receivers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Multilateral_Export_Controls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Mul...
- ezconnect 5y agoThe commercial GPS receiver are just software disabled not to work at certain speed and altitude. There used to be a receiver you can buy that does not have those restriction. You can also build your own GPS receiver and not have the restriction.
- retrac 5y agoOne of the design goals for GPS was munitions guidance, including missiles with suborbital flights. So yes, at least in LEO.
- orra 5y agoA design goal? Good point.
- garaetjjte 5y agoIt works up to 3000km with full precision, you just need a receiver without CoCom limits. (actually, precision should be better without atmosphere). It also works all the way up to geostationary orbit, but with some limitations. https://www.gps.gov/multimedia/presentations/2011/09/ICG/miller.pdf https://www.gps.gov/multimedia/presentations/2011/09/ICG/mil...
- count 5y agoGPS orbits at 20,200km from the surface. Starlink orbits at 550km from the surface. So, relatively, they're basically on the ground, just moving really fast!