this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2025
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[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

GPS privatization in 3...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

Why not just stop being reliant on cars... you know... put down more rail.... use.. trains...

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

They're already are multiple alternatives to GPS. GPS is the American navigation system, but there's also GNSS which is mostly used in Europe and Scandinavia. There are other systems for other parts of the world, even the North and South pole now.

Everyone just uses GPS universally though.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

there's also GNSS which is mostly used in Europe and Scandinavia

GNSS is the generic term that covers all satellite navigation systems (GPS included).

Galileo is the EU/ESA system you're thinking of.

GLONASS (Russian) and BeiDou (Chinese) are the other two major constellations with global coverage. The only other full system I know of is NavIC, which is Indian and has only regional coverage.

Most devices actually connect to all of them. I've just checked my phone, and it's connected to all of GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou. People just say "GPS" because it's catchier than "GNSS".

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Is constellation the actual term for a set of satellites now?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago

I kinda like the British word "satnav".

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Reject modernity, return to sextant.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

Dont need a sextant if you dont leave your house

[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

You know what's a great backup? The ability to read a map or use a compass. This is set up to get Starlink or another billionaire to own GPS.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

Subscription based navigation? Want to use your car's navigation system, there's a fee for that? Want to fly a drone, that'll be 9.99/month. Hopefully there will be a carve out for emergency systems.

This will also allow Tesla to up their traffic game. If everyone is using the Starlink GPS for navigation they'll have all the data.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Ding ding ding. This is just a talking point so they’ll be able to pivot into “we should give Musk a trillion dollar contract to run GPS on his Starlink satellites.” Hammer the “GPS is unreliable” point long enough that the conservative voters have time to start believing it. Then pivot into handing more money to Musk. It’s a typical advertising strategy; Create a problem so you can sell the solution.

[–] [email protected] 22 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 weeks ago

We can’t rely on the Global(ist) Positioning System!

[–] [email protected] 19 points 2 weeks ago

How do we call these assholes and tell them to get their heads out of Muskovitch's ass?

[–] [email protected] 11 points 3 weeks ago

Whatever happened to radio ranging?

That shit was super coolio.

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