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National Space Policy: NSDD-42 (issued on July 4th, 1982)



 
 
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  #24  
Old June 16th 04, 07:05 AM
Stuf4
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* Newsflash *

Do you think that the multi-billion dollar GPS system was launched so
that Cadillac could have OnStar?



Those remarks were alluding to the comments made earlier in this
thread:
----
Along with such missiles, it is also curious to note that at the time
NSDD-42 was drafted, the Navstar/GPS program was well on its way with
seven Block 1 satellites already in orbit.

GPS was designed and funded as a system that would get nuclear
warheads to their targets more accurately.

Aside from the obvious application of bomber navigation, GPS
technology was developed from a system that was designed to improve
guidance and control of ICBMs themselves (I searched the sci.space
archives and could not find a single comment on MOSAIC, MObile System
for Accurate ICBM Control).
----


~ CT
  #29  
Old June 16th 04, 01:01 PM
Paul F. Dietz
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Scott M. Kozel wrote:

GPS was designed and funded as a system that would get nuclear
warheads to their targets more accurately.



You got a source for that statement?

GPS provides for passive navigational purposes primarily for civil uses,
and is not a "weapon".


It is indisputable that GPS was initially funded as a military program.
It had many earlier military predecessor systems, such as TRANSIT, SECOR,
and TIMATION. DOD provided the considerable funding needed to develop
and build out the system. The navy had been using TRANSIT to determine
positions of ballistic missile subs, but GPS was faster and operationally
superior.

It's not surprising that GPS has had many other military and eventually
civilian applications, and that the civilian applications are increasingly
important, but that doesn't mean the civilian applications were the primary
reason the system was built.

http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/...MR614.appb.pdf

Paul
  #30  
Old June 16th 04, 01:54 PM
Henry Spencer
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In article ,
Scott M. Kozel wrote:
GPS provides for passive navigational purposes primarily for civil uses,


Hardly. If it was *primarily* for civil uses, it wouldn't be run by the
military. Civil uses are encouraged, but when push comes to shove, GPS is
a military navigation system and the military makes all the decisions.

and is not a "weapon".


That part is correct.
--
"Think outside the box -- the box isn't our friend." | Henry Spencer
-- George Herbert |
 




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