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Department of AdministrationP.O. Box 110200 Juneau, AK 99811-0200AndDepartment of Military & Veterans AffairsP.O. Box 5800 Fort Richardson, AK 99505-5800JOINT PRESS RELEASE |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
August 17, 1999 |
POC: Juanita Hensley, (907) 465-5648 Kerre Martineau, (907) 428-6034 |
PR# 990817 |
GPS SATELLITES TO RESET ON AUGUST 22
Receiver units could experience problems, users advised to check with manufacturers for details
JUNEAU, Alaska ---
Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites will soon reset their central clocks. With this rollover, some GPS receivers could experience a range of problems from incorrect date information to possible failure.GPS receivers rely on a system of 24 satellites to relay signals that can then report the receiver unit’s ground location. GPS satellites have internal clocks, which operate on a 1024-week cycle. On August 22, 1999 that cycle is finished, and the satellites will reset to week 0, January 6, 1980.
"While the GPS date rollover is not really a Y2K problem, it will give us another opportunity to test our readiness to respond to possible future Y2K problems," said Bob Poe, Commissioner for the Department of Administration.
Brigadier General Phillip Oates, Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, explains that "Many Alaskans have GPS receivers that they use for navigation while hunting, fishing, or other outdoor activities. If these receivers experience problems with the cycle rollover, it could mean some lost individuals relying on inaccurate information for navigation."
Anyone concerned about their GPS receivers should contact the manufacturer. The Coast Guard Navigation Center’s website (www.navcen.uscg.mil/gps/geninfo/y2k/gpsmanufacturers/ manufacturers.html) offers a list of links to GPS receiver manufacturers and contact information. GPS information is also available through the Federal government’s Y2K hotline: 1-888-872-4925.
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