Satellites have quickly become the backbone of all of our technological developments. Today, it is impossible to find any advanced technology that functions without support or assistance from satellites. Let us take GPS as an example. There was a time when reading paper maps and understanding them was considered a fine art. Cartography was a specialized subject and any person who could read maps was an invaluable asset to any transportation team.
Today, maps have been rendered irrelevant because computerized versions of maps can be uploaded into electronic devices and Global Positioning System satellites can be used to identify one’s location without any difficulty. Today, it is possible to make use of Onstar telematics solutions and others such facilities to get step by step and turn by turn driving assistance from service providers.
In such a scenario, one has to wonder what will happen if the satellite system that we use gets disabled for any reason. What will happen if a solar flare knocks out the satellite service for an unspecified duration? This may sound like a doomsday scenario to some but there is no denying that we are poorly equipped to control the environment outside our planet. A massive solar flare can destroy all our satellite and we cannot do anything about it. It need to cause physical damage. A burst of microwave radiation can fry the satellites and we may not be in a position to do anything about it. In such a scenario, is it wise to rely on satellites in such a manner that we cannot live without them?
Today, commercial services are being offered to fund maintenance of the Global Positioning System network of satellites orbiting the earth. Well, to utilize any technology for commercial purposes always creates scope for manipulation. Today GPS in automobiles helps people drive better. However, thieves make use of such devices that jam the signal and make it impossible for the GPS device to work. Hence, no tech can ever be completely infallible. It is better to be prepared to live without support of tech when need arises.