Sunday, 1 July 2007

Hurricane satellite could fail anytime; replacement plans delayed till 2016

QuikScat was launched in 1999 and was designed to last 2 to 3 years. Now it's limping along on a backup transmitter that could fail at any time without warning. If it does, other satellites give less precise data, widening the "cone of error." Evac orders need to be precise, because evacuations cost up to $1 million per mile of coastline.

read more | digg story

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