GPS Tracking Blog
GLONASS, the Russian version of our GPS used for navigation and GPS tracking, suffered a significant setback when the Proton-M rocket carrying three of their navigational systems crashed almost immediately after takeoff.
The rocket burst into flames on live television just moments after takeoff landing a sharp not only to Russian plans for GLONASS, but also to the honor and prestige of the commercial space industry that has been quite lucrative.
For some, this incident has a feeling of deja-vu as a similar incident occurred in December 2010 when another Proton-M meant to carry three satellites into orbit crashed into the Pacific Ocean.
Proton failure has been a persistent problem over the years and blamed for the 2010 incident, an August 2011 satellite failure, and another failed launch in August 2012. This crash resulted in the loss of two communication satellites.
The latest incident occurred at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, the debris from the crash combined with the 600 tons of toxic fuel has spurred concerns over contamination of the steppe surrounding the facility. Stores were order closed as was public eating establishments. Locals were asked to stay indoors with windows closed.
The crash happened 17 seconds into the flight, according to the Russian Space Agency and crashed in a giant fireball just over a mile from the launch pad.
GPS Tracking Blog
Meteorologist, Kevin Martin, is a man on a mission. Armed with his trusted GPS tracker, he’s on a mission to find the hottest spot on the planet — and in the history of recording temperatures. We’re not talking trendy nighttime hot spot where all the Hollywood starlets hang out. We’re talking desert heat so hot you might want to think twice before stepping outside.
The hottest temperature previously recorded was 134 degrees Fahrenheit, recorded at Death Valley’s Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913.
Why use GPS tracking for weather?
Well, in addition to navigating through Death Valley National Park, the GPS unit allows website viewers to track his movements by following hisRealtime Tracker link. In addition to the GPS tracking device, Mr. Martin is bringing along a portable weather station and a video camera.
His findings, according to the July 1, 2013 post on his website,TheWeatherSpace.com indicate that the record was, indeed, broken at Badwater Basin where the temperature gauge topped out at a scorching 135.5 degrees.
GPS Tracking Blog
Not exactly the type of list you want to dominate.
California tops the list of the most stolen cars in the U.S. and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) encourages the use of GPS tracking devices to prevent it from happening.
The just announced study revealed the cities in the United States with the highest percentage of cars stolen. The study analyzed “Hot Spots” based on a per capita review of thefts in the metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the U.S. The study was performed by the NICB, which is also shows results almost identical to what the FBI had for vehicle theft in 2012.
The numbers from this study show that there is a slight increase of 1.3 percent in vehicle thefts in 2012, up from the results in 2011. After a downward trend of eight consecutive years, this is the first year of an overall increase.
Eight of the 10 top cities are in California, while the other 2 are from Washington. Overall, the West region of the U.S. shows a rise of 10.6 percent in vehicle thefts from 2011. The Northeast, Midwest and South actually saw a lower percentage of vehicle thefts in their regions.
A significant trend year after year, shows the majority of the Hot Spot cities on the list being from California. Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs at NICB, had this to say after last year’s study: “California has dominated the list for years. There are simply many more vehicles there than in any other state, and way more people,” Frank Scafidi, director of public affairs at NICB, told Forbes following the 2011 Hot Spots study. With that combination, you see more vehicle thefts, Scafidi said.
GPS Tracking Blog
Advanced GPS tracking technology is being used to monitor and track the elk population in South Dakota.
Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is now using GPS trackers to monitor their elk population. Park workers from Washington State Park assisted them with tagging 36 female elk that roam their national park. This was all part of a United States Geological Survey (USGS), which is tracking various wildlife using GPS tracking collars.
The GPS technology in conjunction with the geological survey is expected to find out where the elk go when they’re pushed out of the park. Elk at Wind Cave National Park have been leaving the park and are unable to return. The survey and GPS technology will help geologists discover what’s behind this mystery.
The elk’s locations are recorded every day, at 15-minute intervals. They are showing the movements, location and mortality of the elk that are being tracked.
“These GPS collars will allow us to monitor elk movements in and around the park and help determine whether the plan is working,” said park superintendent Vidal Davila. “These collars will remain on until the late winter or early spring of 2015.”
GPS Tracking Blog
A new video provided by the U.S. Air Force on GPS modernization highlights the biggest accomplishments and future developments of technology.
GPS, or global positioning systems, are known around the world. The technology was originally developed by the U.S. Air Force, a group that continues to pave the way towards newer technology.
GPS is responsible for everything from navigation to predicting natural disasters to GPS tracking of thieves, patients, children, pets, endangered animals, and vehicles. GPS has been the most reliable navigation in the world since 1993, with signals traveling at the speed of light.
Free for everyone and available around the world, GPS has become a critical resource for the infrastructure of the planet. Defense, military, civil and economic industries rely on the technology. A new video provided by the Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs and U.S. Air Force outlines what has been accomplished, and what the newest developments will be in regards to GPS.
Industries like maritime, aviation, agriculture, military and defense require GPS on a daily basis. Other common uses include navigation, improving the quality of life, disaster relief, time, weather, and emergency response. And it is only going to get better.
