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Bill Sodeman writes about management, mobile computing and information systems

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New GPS satellite launched

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Posted Wednesday, 26 March 2008

The AP reported that a new, third-generation GPS satellite was successfully launched for the United States Air Force from Florida. As I mentioned on 17 March 2008, the Air Force has a lot on its plate these days. The new satellite weighs two tons, is 11 meters long and 2 meters wide. The average GPS satellite has an 8 year life span, so the Air Force must launch replacements on a regular schedule to maintain the 24-satellite system. See HowStuffWorks and NASA for more information about how the Global Positioning System actually works.

Tags: GPS, hardware, space, telecom, USA