Losing GPS mid-flight? A nightmare no more. Researchers are developing a new navigation system using cell phone signals as an emergency backup for pilots!
Here’s the scoop:
Tech Behind It: A floating receiver captures radio waves from cell towers and satellites, transforming them into navigation data.
Tested at Record Heights: Payloads soared to 82,000 feet, detecting signals with potential for clean, reliable navigation.
Why It Matters: GPS vulnerabilities like jamming, hacking, or failures could leave planes in danger. This system could change the game!
"If these signals are clean enough for navigation, it will significantly change what we thought was possible," says Jennifer Sanderson, lead researcher.
Cheers to the teams at Sandia National Laboratories and Ohio State University for advancing aviation safety!