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GPS 'breakdown'?
4th June 2009, Page 13
4th June 2009
Page 13
Page 13, 4th June 2009
— GPS 'breakdown'?
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THE GLOBAL POSITIONING system (GPS) that helps many hauliers pinpoint the whereabouts of their vehicles could begin to break down at the beginning of next year, says the US government.
The GPS network depends on US satellites that orbit the earth and beam signals back to the ground, but the Americans say the satellite system has not been maintained well enough. Also, new satellites have hit technical hitches.
A report to the US Congress says a failing system might result, with sat-nay users experiencing blackouts from next year.
• For more on sat-navs, see Investigation on page 20.
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U.S. Congress, US government