China launches 2nd Beidou MEO satellite April 15, 2009
Posted by satellitenavigation in Beidou, Compass, Uncategorized.add a comment
Yesterday (15/04/09) China launched the second Beidou (aka Compass) MEO satellite. The launch took place at 00:16 a.m. (1616 GMT) from the southwestern Xichang launching centre using a Long March 3C rocket. A further 10 launches are proposed before the end of 2010.
ILA rally to eLoran’s defence March 24, 2009
Posted by satellitenavigation in eLoran.1 comment so far
Following on from the recent news about the possible withdrawl of funding for Loran-C by the new US administration the International Loran Association have issued a press release that attempts to protect the fledgling eLoran concept. Stressing the importance of eLoran the paper attempts to clarify whether the Office of Management and Budget’s decision was in relation to the legacy Loran-C or whether it included any future development of the infrastructure. To quote the ILA,
As an international Association, the ILA believes that a U.S. decision in 2009 to transition to eLoran will have a positive effect worldwide, will build industrial capability, and will drive creativity and innovation. As numerous studies have shown, the greatest benefit option for Loran-C service providers is to transition to eLoran.
Unfortunately the recently released 2008 Federal Radionavigation Plan did little to bolster eLoran’s position as GPS back-up of choice. If it had been worded more strongly we wonder whether eLoran would be under threat right now.
Succesful launch for GPS L5 satellite March 24, 2009
Posted by satellitenavigation in GPS, MilSpace.add a comment
The latest GPS satellite launch took place successfully today (24/03/09) from Cape Canaveral. The GPS IIR-20 satellite carrying the all important ability to generate the L5 signal took off at 4.34 EDT. The satellite will replace the Block IIA-27 satellite that has been on orbit since 1996. It will be SVN49 and will be given PRN code 1.
The launch will help secure the L5 frequency for civil safety of life users for years to come. For more information see SpaceFlightNow.
New Airbus to be SBAS equipped March 10, 2009
Posted by satellitenavigation in EGNOS, SBAS, WAAS.1 comment so far
Is it April the 1st or has their been an outbreak of aviating porcine proportions in Toulouse recently?
Yes, hell may truly have frozen over as Airbus have announced that their next new aircraft off the production line, the A350XWB will be equipped with SBAS avionics. This will allow the aircraft to shoot WAAS LPV approaches in the US and similarly through EGNOS in Europe when (if) it finally gets going. This represents a fundamental shift in thinking amongst the large aircraft integrators. Boeing has for many years vociferously denied any benefit of SBAS in large, multi-sensor aircraft and Airbus have never exactly been EGNOS’s top supporter. However, it would appear that the prevalence of LPV approaches in the US market, together with the increasing availability of suitable SBAS avionics have persuaded Toulouse into a change of heart. The avionics are being supplied by Rockwell.
Now then Boeing, the ball is in your court, fancy a volte face?!
