[LEAPSECS] ISO TC 37

[Warner Losh]

Keep in mind that my prognostication was a "what would happen if" sort of thing.  The people identified would need to change.  They all fall into the 'care which way the earth is pointing' category. They are a tiny fraction of a fraction of 1% and would need to reengineer their operations if this change were to happen.  My guess as to what would happen is just that, a guess.  It shouldn't be taken as an engineering statement "since I don't think much bad will happen, this will be OK" but rather "if this were to happen, these folks must change."

Warner

On Jan 17, 2012, at 11:27 AM, Rob Seaman wrote:


> 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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