Keep in mind that my prognostication was a "what would happen if" sort of 
thing.  The people identified would need to change.  They all fall into the 
'care which way the earth is pointing' category. They are a tiny fraction of a 
fraction of 1% and would need to reengineer their operations if this change 
were to happen.  My guess as to what would happen is just that, a guess.  It 
shouldn't be taken as an engineering statement "since I don't think much bad 
will happen, this will be OK" but rather "if this were to happen, these folks 
must change."

Warner

On Jan 17, 2012, at 11:27 AM, Rob Seaman wrote:

> Steve Allen wrote:
> 
>> Warner Losh hath writ:
>>> [*] Unless I'm an astronomer or care which way the earth is pointing to 
>>> sub-minute accuracy.
>> 
>> The GPS system, and the other GNSS, must know that in order to operate.
>> The satellite tracking code, the VLBI code, the LLR code have all been
>> written and operated in the presence of leap seconds.  The absence of
>> leap seconds could compromise the infrastructure that supports GPS.
> 
> See Stephen Malys's* presentation and paper:
>       - 
> http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/futureofutc/program/presentations/AAS_11-675_Malys.pptx.pdf
>       - 
> http://www.cacr.caltech.edu/futureofutc/preprints/32_AAS_11-675_Malys.pdf
> 
> From his summary slide:
> 
>       • DoD GPS Monitor Stations, the ‘starting point’ for all GPS 
> Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) are located on the Rotating Earth
> 
>       •  A regular source of UT1-UTC predictions will continue to be needed 
> for NGA, GPS and other DoD Satellite Operations
> 
>       •  Allowing UT1-UTC to grow beyond the current 1 sec limit
>               •  Will require resources to modify existing ICDs and 
> operational software
>               •  Offers no benefits to NGA or GPS Operations
> 
> Rob
> 
> * Senior Scientist for Geodesy and Geophysics, InnoVision Basic and Applied 
> Research Office, National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency
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