Global Positioning System Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Global Positioning System

Viscount Stansgate Excerpts
Tuesday 26th April 2022

(2 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Viscount Stansgate Portrait Viscount Stansgate (Lab)
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My Lords, the 2025 solar cycle is a serious issue. Can the Minister assure the House that the Government are in regular touch with the Royal Astronomical Society, which embodies an enormous amount of expertise in this and other areas related to astronomy and the sun?

Lord True Portrait Lord True (Con)
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My Lords, I have referred to space weather and the solar cycle, and I agree with the noble Viscount that it is important because at the height of the solar cycle it can disrupt or block access to GPS. We are expanding our space weather monitoring capability, and this will contribute to active correction of GPS as the authorities improve their accuracy. We are also undertaking the other measures that I have mentioned to allow back-up resilience.