The Distress Alerting Satellite System

摘要

It Is Not Commonly Known that the GPS satellites carry more than just navigation payloads. Beginning with the launch of the sixth Block I satellite in 1980, GPS satellites have carried sensors for the detection of nuclear weapons detonations to help monitor compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The payload is known as the Nuclear Detonation (NUDET) Detection System (NDS) and is jointly supported by the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Energy.