23 Sept 2024
9m

Could you live without GPS? It's OK, the economy can't, either

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The Indicator from Planet Money

This podcast episode explores the critical vulnerabilities of the U.S. dependence on GPS, detailing the dire implications of a potential GPS outage, the looming threat of satellite sabotage, particularly from Russia, and the troubling absence of a robust backup navigation system. Guests highlight the chaos that could arise across key sectors, ranging from agriculture to national security, exacerbated by the U.S.'s decision to dismantle its historical backup, LORAN. As alternatives to GPS are explored, the episode advocates for the resurrection and modernization of E-Loran, representing a strategic move towards redundancy in navigation systems that mirrors the advances made by rivals like Russia and China.

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