PREFACE
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of orbiting satellites operated by the U.S. Department of Defense to provide navigation, positionlocation, and precision timing services to users worldwide. GPS applications
have grown beyond their defense and transportation origins and are becoming
crucial to a broad range of information industries. The evolution of GPS from a
primarily military to a commercial and international resource has raised important policy questions about its regulation, control, protection, and funding.
This report describes the findings of a one-year GPS policy study conducted by
the RAND Critical Technologies Institute for the White House Office of Science
and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC). The goal of this research has been to assist OSTP and NSTC in
assessing alternative national objectives, opportunities, and vulnerabilities in
the exploitation of GPS as a national resource. The authors have taken a broad,
top-level view toward GPS policy issues that should make this report of interest
to a wide audience, including the increasingly large numbers of people who will
be affected by GPS technologies in coming years. Policymakers concerned with
balancing national security, foreign policy, and economic interests in emerging
technologies may find GPS a particularly relevant example of the issues raised
by dual-use (i.e., civil and military) technologies.
CTI was created in 1991 by an act of Congress. It is a federally funded research
and development center (FFRDC) within RAND. CTI’s mission is to
•
provide analytical support to the Executive Office of the President of the
United States,
•
help decisionmakers understand the likely consequences of their decisions
and choose among alternative policies, and
•
improve understanding in both the public and private sectors of the ways in
which technological efforts can better serve national objectives.
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The Global Positioning System
Inquiries regarding CTI or this report may be directed to:
Bruce Don
Director, Critical Technologies Institute
RAND
2100 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1270