Headlines: How is the Global Positioning System Funded; 62 NDGPS Sites to be Decommissioned
Information for Policymakers from the National Coordination Office for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)
October 2, 2015
How is the Global Positioning System Funded?
GPS is paid for by the U.S. taxpayer and budgeted through multi-departmental program funding. The bulk of its funds are appropriated through the Department of Defense, which has primary responsibility for developing, acquiring, operating, sustaining, and modernizing the system. GPS also receives funding through the Department of Transportation, which has the responsibility for funding additional designated civil GPS capabilities beyond the addition of the second and third civil navigation signals. The President's FY 2016 budget request includes $965 million for the GPS program, including both military and civil funding. You may find more details about the FY 2016 GPS Budget request at GPS.gov.
62 NDGPS Sites to be Decommissioned
On August 18, the Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard, and the Army Corps of Engineers published a Federal Register Notice regarding the Nationwide Differential Global Positioning System (NDGPS). Currently, there are 84 NDGPS sites in the U.S., which are operated by the Coast Guard. NDGPS signals provide augmentation signals that improve positioning accuracy and system integrity to GPS-derived positions for mariners, surveyors and agricultural users. However, over time, the advancements of other GPS-enabled technologies have led to a decline in the use of NDGPS. Sixty-two of the NDGPS sites are proposed to cease operations, starting on January 15, 2016. The plan retains the operations of 22 NDGPS sites for users in coastal areas. The comment period for the notice is open to the public until November 16, 2015. For additional information on NDGPS, visit the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center NDGPS page.
This newsletter is produced and distributed by the National Coordination Office for Space-Based PNT, a central resource within the government for GPS policy information. For more information, visit www.gps.gov/congress.
You are receiving this newsletter because of your interest / involvement in legislative affairs that are pertinent to the Global Positioning System (GPS), which affects national defense, transportation, science & technology, energy & environment, commerce, communications, privacy, and many other aspects of society.
