GPS Timing Error Disrupts Networks

The U.S. Air Force decommissioned a GPS satellite in 2016, but a software bug resulted in 15 satellites broadcasting at the incorrect time. The signals drifted by just 13 microseconds, yet the error triggered widespread failures in navigation and telecom systems around the world. Thousands of devices were affected, and even the BBC's digital radio services went down for hours until engineers corrected the timing fault.

Previous Fact Next Fact