Steve Allen wrote:
> Warner Losh hath writ:
>> [*] Unless I'm an astronomer or care which way the earth is pointing to
>> sub-minute accuracy.
>
> The GPS system, and the other GNSS, must know that in order to operate.
> The satellite tracking code, the VLBI code, the LLR code have all been
> written and operated in the presence of leap seconds. The absence of
> leap seconds could compromise the infrastructure that supports GPS.
See Stephen Malys's* presentation and paper:
-
http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/futureofutc/program/presentations/AAS_11-675_Malys.pptx.pdf
-
http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/futureofutc/preprints/32_AAS_11-675_Malys.pdf
From his summary slide:
• DoD GPS Monitor Stations, the ‘starting point’ for all GPS
Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) are located on the Rotating Earth
• A regular source of UT1-UTC predictions will continue to be needed
for NGA, GPS and other DoD Satellite Operations
• Allowing UT1-UTC to grow beyond the current 1 sec limit
• Will require resources to modify existing ICDs and
operational software
• Offers no benefits to NGA or GPS Operations
Rob
* Senior Scientist for Geodesy and Geophysics, InnoVision Basic and Applied
Research Office, National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency_______________________________________________
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