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The Global Positioning System

Assessing National Policies

Cover: The Global Positioning System

By: Scott Pace, Gerald P. Frost, Irving Lachow, David R. Frelinger, Donna Fossum, Don Wassem, Monica M. Pinto

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a military space system operated by the U.S. Air Force that continuously broadcasts precise time signals. These signals can be used worldwide to aid position location, navigation, and timing. GPS is an information resource that supports a wide range of civil, scientific, and commercial functions as well as U.S. forces. National policy toward GPS has not, however, kept pace with the system’s rapidly expanding international uses. This study identifies major opportunities and vulnerabilities created by GPS for U.S. defense, commercial, and foreign policy interests, and makes recommendations for U.S. policy toward GPS, including future governance and funding. If the United States promotes GPS as a global standard, it should address the dual-use nature of the technology through international agreements. If the United States becomes an unreliable steward for GPS, it risks losing the economic and diplomatic benefits from past investments in this technology.

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Paperback Cover Price: $30.00

Discounted Web Price: $27.00

Pages: 403

ISBN/EAN: 0-8330-2349-7

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Contents

Preface PDF

Figures PDF

Tables PDF

Summary PDF

Acknowledgments PDF

Acronyms PDF

Chapter One:
Introduction PDF

Chapter Two:
National Interests and Stakeholders in GPS Policy PDF

Chapter Three:
National Security Assessment PDF

Chapter Four:
Commercial Assessment PDF

Chapter Five:
Institutional and Legal Assessment PDF

Chapter Six:
Conclusions and Recommendations PDF

Appendix A:
GPS Technologies and Alternatives PDF

Appendix B:
GPS History, Chronology, and Budgets PDF

Appendix C:
GPS Policy References PDF

Appendix D:
International Legal References for GPS PDF

Bibliography PDF

GPS Interviews PDF

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