GPS

GLONASS Will Take The Lead Over GPS Soon?

The Russian Space Agency reported that it expects GLONASS to take the lead over GPS - the United States NAVSTAR global positioning system, Anatoly Shilov, Roscosmos Deputy Head says. "Characteristics of GLONASS and GPS gradually become close. Unfortunately, our constellation was incomplete. Now we are in [the] process [of] enlarging it. Thus, the accuracy, accessibility, reliabilty improve", Shilov told Interfax-AVN. He has also incated that the new Russian GLONASS-K model will have improvements in weight over the GLONASS-M models currently in use, thus being quickler and cheaper to launch.

Combined GPS/GLONASS services can be found in different places around the world, more often where the combination of satellites are present. However, at the current time, GLONASS has yet to achieve a full constellation. The system currently has 17 operating satellites. Because GNSS services are available in some places around the world, that cannot be said for all places, and even so, the existing locations are intermittent due to orbiting satellite positions.

It is difficult to imagine GLONASS surpassing GPS, and if GLONASS-K are quicker and easier to get into space, then why aren't they already being used? Indeed, Russia fully expects to launch 17 more GLONASS-M satellites by 2013. The current constellation of Russian satellites has remained around the same level for some time, even though Russian agencies and well placed officials have indicated full services would already be available.

But the bigger issue when tackling questions relating to comparisons of the U.S. GPS system in my mind relate to 3rd party investors willing to establish products and companies to use GLONASS, particularly where confidence is lacking. Russia has recently indicated that a surtax would be imposed on non-Russian GPS equipment, the result of which serves to protect the domestic Russian market.

Meanwhile, the European GALILEO program continues to work toward putting satellites in space and recently signed the contract for launching the first 4 satellites.

Another factor to consider, and one often overlooked, is that the Russian economy is currently experiencing budgetary issues which are severe, and have impacted spending.

So - what does all this mean for people actually doing work in the field and needing GPS positioning? I would focus on the existing GPS technologies and not give them up. The service has been reliable, available and accurate. Furthermore, there is a huge 3rd party market that has evolved from the U.S. GPS system.

GLONASS enabled systems will offer advantages when used in combination (GNSS) with GPS. Many manufactuer's provide GNSS capable receivers at the present time.

GLONASS taking the lead over GPS? - Hmmm...

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3. GPS: US Announce’s GPS Upgrades Beyond EU System
4. Russia to Tax Foreign GPS Hardware 25%
5. GLONASS — Coming of Age?
6. Russia Launches 3 GLONASS Satellites
7. GNSS Is Here Now — Considerations
8. GALILEO GPS: Clock is ticking…
9. GLONASS Satellite Program Management Ineffective
10. Three More GLONASS Launched

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