CoCom regulations and GPS receivers for balloons and cubesats
5 hours ago
- #GPS regulations
- #High-altitude tech
- #CoCom limits
- There are CoCom regulations requiring GPS module manufacturers to implement limits that stop functioning above 18 km altitude or over 1000 knots (about 0.5 km/s) speed, to prevent misuse.
- The application of altitude and speed limits (whether OR or AND) affects high-altitude applications like balloons or cubesat subsystem testing.
- Current rules may have become more relaxed, allowing GPS use at higher altitudes and speeds, but specifics on these rules are unclear.
- Modifying firmware to remove limits is discussed online, with products available, raising questions about the legality and conditions for such modifications.
- Questions remain about whether manufacturers can ship GPS modules without limits under certain conditions and where the official rules are documented.