Codeless and Semi-Codeless Access to the Global Positioning System, 28433-28435 [E8-11148]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 96 / Friday, May 16, 2008 / Notices incorporated in the 2008 Edition of NIST SP 330: a. Full incorporation of the 2000 Supplement which clarified the definition of the second and incorporated the new coherent SI unit with a special name and symbol for the mol s¥1, the katal with symbol kat, for expressing values of the quantity catalytic activity; b. A discussion designated as ‘‘the set of coherent SI units’’ was added to clarify that the base and coherent derived units of the SI form a coherent set; c. New section entitled ‘‘Units for quantities that describe biological effects’’ was added in view of their importance for human health and safety; d. New section entitled ‘‘Historical note’’ was added to provide updated information from Section 1.1 of the 7th Edition; e. Appendix 1 was updated to include all the recent decisions of the CIPM and CGPM which impact the SI; f. Appendix 2, which discusses the experimental realization of units, is made available only in electronic form on the BIPM Web site at https:// www.bipm.org/en/si/si_brochure/ appendix2/, so that it may be easily updated between SI brochure versions; and g. New Appendix 3 entitled ‘‘Units for photochemical and photobiological quantities,’’ was added to point out that the SI already includes a SI base unit, the candela, which is considered to be a biological effects unit of importance to industry and human health and safety. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES II. Modifications to the SI for Its Use in the United States The 2008 Edition of NIST SP 330 differs from the ‘‘SI Brochure’’ to conform to the language and customary use of measurement units in the United States: a. The spelling of English words is in accordance with the United States Government Printing Office Style Manual, which follows Webster’s Third New International Dictionary rather than the Oxford Dictionary. Thus, the spellings ‘‘meter,’’ ‘‘liter,’’ and ‘‘deca’’ are used rather than ‘‘metre,’’ ‘‘litre,’’ and ‘‘deka’’ as in the original BIPM English text; b. The name of the unit with symbol t is defined according to 1 t = 103 kg which is called ‘‘metric ton’’ rather than ‘‘tonne;’’ c. The four units curie, roentgen, rad, and rem are included in Table 10; d. A number of Editors’ notes are added in order to indicate differences of interpretation and to clarify the text; VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:18 May 15, 2008 Jkt 214001 e. A few minor editorial changes are made in order to ‘‘Americanize’’ some phrases. This notice supersedes the last interpretation of the SI that was published in the Federal Register on July 28, 1998 (Vol. 63, No. 144—FR 40334—40340). NIST SP 330, NIST SP 811, and other useful information regarding the International System of Units (SI) are published electronically (https:// physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/ and https://nist.gov/metric) and in hard copy. Requests for hardcopies can be sent to: TheSI@nist.gov. Although there is no formal comment period, comments and suggestions on the SI are invited and should be sent to Dr. Ambler Thompson at the address previously indicated. Dated: May 9, 2008. James M.Turner, Deputy Director. [FR Doc. E8–11058 Filed 5–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of closed meeting. AGENCY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given that the Judges Panel of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award will meet Tuesday, June 3, 2008. The Judges Panel is composed of twelve members prominent in the fields of quality, innovation, and performance excellence and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the Judging process and Judging process changes for 2008; role of Judges’ in award process; overview of scoring data; 2008 Baldrige award cycle; the Judges’ survey of applicants; and the Judges’ mentoring process. The applications under review by Judges contain trade secrets and proprietary commercial information submitted to the Government in confidence. DATES: The meeting will convene June 3, 2008 at 9 a.m. and adjourn at 4:30 p.m. on June 3, 2008. The entire meeting will be closed. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Administration Building, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 28433 Lecture Room A, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899. Dr. Harry Hertz, Director, National Quality Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, telephone number (301) 975–2361. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Assistant Secretary for Administration, with the concurrence of the General Counsel, formally determined on March 4, 2008, that the meeting of the Judges Panel will be closed pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, as amended by Section 5(c) of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Pub. L. 94–409. The meeting, which involves examination of Award applicant data from U.S. companies and other organizations and a discussion of this data as compared to the Award criteria in order to recommend Award recipients, may be closed to the public in accordance with Section 552b(c)(4) of Title 5, United States Code, because the meetings are likely to disclose trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person which is privileged or confidential. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dated: May 9, 2008. James M. Turner, Deputy Director. [FR Doc. E8–11034 Filed 5–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No.: 080506632–8633–01] Codeless and Semi-Codeless Access to the Global Positioning System Office of Space Commercialization, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Office of Space Commercialization seeks comments on a plan to transition the installed base of codeless and semi-codeless Global Positioning System (GPS) user equipment to next-generation equipment utilizing the modernized civil GPS signals known as L2C and L5. The plan was developed under the auspices of the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). Under the plan, the Department of Defense, as the operator of GPS, will continue E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM 16MYN1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 28434 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 96 / Friday, May 16, 2008 / Notices enabling codeless/semi-codeless GPS access until December 31, 2020, by which time the L2C and L5 signals will be available on 24 or more modernized GPS satellites. Users should re-equip to use the modernized signals, since codeless/semi-codeless GPS access cannot be assured beyond 2020. DATES: Submit comments on or before June 16, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: E-mail: jason.kim@noaa.gov. Fax: (202) 482– 4429 (Attn.: Jason Kim). Mail/Courier: Jason Kim, Office of Space Commercialization, U.S. Department of Commerce, 6818 Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th St. & Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230. Due to ongoing delays in mail delivery, respondents are encouraged to submit comments by mail early, or to transmit them electronically. Office hours for courier delivery are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Space Commercialization, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482– 5827. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. Government constellation of 24 or more satellites providing precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities, free of direct user fees, on a continuous, worldwide basis. GPS currently transmits PNT information on two radio frequencies known as L1 (1575 MHz) and L2 (1227 MHz). In the future, GPS will also transmit information on a third frequency known as L5 (1176 MHz). GPS transmits encrypted signals known as Y-code or P(Y)-code at the L1 and L2 frequencies. Y-code is intended primarily for U.S. and allied military use, but the civilian community has developed techniques that exploit Ycode at L1 and L2 to achieve significant accuracy gains. Such techniques, collectively known as codeless or semicodeless GPS access, have been integrated into a range of GPS receivers sold commercially around the world. The Y-code signal was never designed or intended for codeless/semi-codeless access. However, the Department of Defense, as the GPS operator, has historically supported codeless and semi-codeless users by documenting a time-limited commitment to the Y-code signal in the GPS Standard Positioning Service (SPS) Performance Standard and the Federal Radionavigation Plan. For example, the current GPS SPS Performance Standard (dated October VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:18 May 15, 2008 Jkt 214001 2001) includes the statement that, ‘‘Until such time as a second coded civil GPS signal is operational, the U.S. Government has agreed to not intentionally reduce the current received minimum Radio Frequency signal strength of the P(Y)-coded signal on the L2 link, as specified in ICD–GPS– 200C or to intentionally alter the P(Y)coded signal on the L2 link.’’ As a result, manufacturers have continued to develop codeless/semi-codeless GPS equipment. The U.S. Government acknowledges the global use of GPS codeless and semicodeless techniques and plans to maintain the existing GPS L1 Y-code and L2 Y-code signal characteristics until such time that an alternative capability exists to replace it. Since 1999, the Department of Defense has worked closely with the civilian agencies on the National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT (and its predecessor, the Interagency GPS Executive Board) to add new capabilities to GPS that supplant the need for codeless/semi-codeless access. In 2005, the U.S. Air Force began launching modernized GPS satellites featuring a new civil signal at L2 called L2C. L2C is designed to work in combination with the legacy civil signal (called C/A) at L1 to enable high accuracy without codeless/semicodeless techniques. In 2009, the Air Force will begin adding a third civil signal called L5 to all new GPS satellites. L5 will also work in combination with L1 C/A and/or L2C to enable high accuracy without codeless/ semi-codeless techniques. The National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT seeks to encourage the development and adoption of nextgeneration GPS receivers that achieve high accuracy via use of L2C and/or L5 instead of codeless/semi-codeless techniques. To facilitate business decisions and stable planning for equipment developers and end users, the National Executive Committee intends to set a fixed target date for the equipment transition. The National Executive Committee proposes December 31, 2020, as the target date for transitioning the installed base of codeless/semi-codeless GPS equipment to next-generation capabilities utilizing the modernized civil GPS signals. This date is based upon the current launch schedule for the GPS program, which will have 24 GPS satellites transmitting the L2C signal to users by 2016, and 24 GPS satellites transmitting L5 by 2018. The date is also based on preliminary discussions the Office of Space Commercialization has held with GPS PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 equipment manufacturers. The manufacturers indicated that a transition period of approximately ten years should be sufficient to allow the installed base of codeless/semi-codeless GPS users to re-equip with nextgeneration receivers as part of their normal equipment amortization, obsolescence, and upgrade cycle. Should there be unforeseen delays in the GPS modernization program, the National Executive Committee will reassess the target date for the transition. After the transition date, the characteristics of the Y-code signals transmitted by modernized GPS satellites may change without further notice and may preclude codeless/semicodeless use of the Y-code signals. However, for those legacy satellites that have no modernized capabilities, codeless/semi-codeless access to Y-code at L1 and L2 will continue until those satellites are decommissioned. The Office of Space Commercialization encourages the GPS user community and manufacturing industry to provide feedback on this proposed plan within the next 30 days. Both domestic and international comments are welcome due to the global nature of GPS use. The National Executive Committee will take the public comments into account as it prepares a final announcement on the date for the codeless/semi-codeless GPS transition. The Department of Defense will publish the final announcement in the Federal Register. Concurrent with the final transition plan announcement, the Department of Defense intends to release an update to the SPS Performance Standard that no longer includes a reference to Y-code stability in support of codeless/semicodeless access. The final announcement would serve to document the government’s continued commitment to protect codeless/semicodeless GPS access through the end of the transition period. Specifically, the final announcement would commit the Department of Defense to maintaining the existing GPS L1 Y-code and L2 Ycode signal characteristics until December 31, 2020. The announcement would also state that should there be unforeseen delays in the GPS modernization program, the date will be reassessed. Instructions for the submission of comments. Page Limit—Submissions should be limited to a maximum length of four pages. Identification and Cover Sheet—Mark each page of the submission with the docket number, submitter’s name (and E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM 16MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 96 / Friday, May 16, 2008 / Notices organization, if applicable), date of submission, and contact information (if the submitter chooses to provide it). Additional information—The Office of Space Commercialization encourages interested persons who wish to comment to do so at the earliest possible time. The Office will consider all comments received before the close of the comment period on June 16, 2008. Consideration of comments received after the end of the comment period cannot be assured. The Office will not accept comments accompanied by a request that part or all of the material be treated confidentially because of its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. All comments submitted in response to this notice will be a matter of public record and will be available for public inspection and copying at https:// www.space.commerce.gov. Authority: NSPD–39; 10 USC Sec 2281(b)(5). Dated: May 14, 2008. Ed Morris, Director, Office of Space Commercialization. [FR Doc. E8–11148 Filed 5–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–HR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XH89 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council); Public Meetings National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice of public meetings. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will convene public meetings. SUMMARY: The meetings will be held June 2–5, 2008. DATES: The meetings will be held at the Hilton Hobby Hotel, 8181 Airport Drive, Houston, TX 77061. Council address: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, 2203 North Lois Avenue, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL, 33607. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne E. Swingle, Executive Director, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council; telephone: 813–348–1630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:18 May 15, 2008 Jkt 214001 Committees Monday, June 2, 2008–CLOSED SESSION 1 pm–5:30 pm–CLOSED SESSION– Budget/Personnel Committee and Full Council will interview and select an Executive Director. Tuesday, June 3, 2008 8 am–12 pm&1:30 pm–5:30 pm–The Reef Fish Management Committee will meet to discuss Draft of Reef Fish Amendment 30B; Approval of Public Hearing Draft of Reef Fish Amendment 29, including IFQ Referendum Language; Ad Hoc Recreational Red Snapper AP Management and Bycatch Reduction Ideas; Review of NMFS Guidelines for ACL/AMs (if available); SEDAR TOR for Hogfish; and Ecosystem Workshop Report. 5:30 pm–6:30 pm–Informal Question and Answer Session on Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Issues. Wednesday, June 4, 2008 8:30 am–10:00 am–The Administrative Policy Committee will meet to discuss Report on Lenfest Annual Catch Limits (ACL’s). 10:00 am–12 pm–The Joint Reef Fish/ Mackerel/Red Drum Management Committee will meet to discuss the Generic Aquaculture Amendment. 1:30 pm–2:30 pm–The Outreach and Education Committee will meet to discuss Proposed Activities. 2:30 pm–4:30 pm–The Ad Hoc Allocation Committee will meet to discuss Development of Guidelines and Principles for Allocations. 4:30 pm–5:30 pm–The Stone Crab/ Spiny Lobster Committee will meet to discuss the Spiny Lobster Scoping Meeting Document. Thursday, June 5, 2008–The Council meeting will begin at 8:30 am with a review of the agenda and minutes. From 8:45 am–9:45 am on Proposed Rule Integrating Magnuson-Stevens Act and NEPA; From 9:45 am–10:45 am public testimony on exempted fishing permits (EFPs), if any; An Open Public Comment Period regarding any fishery issue of concern will be immediately following completion of public testimony for one hour. People wishing to speak before the Council should complete a public comment card prior to the comment period. The Council will review and discuss reports from the previous two days’ committee meetings as follows: 1 pm–3 pm–Reef Fish Management; 3 pm–3:15 pm–Joint Reef Fish/Mackerel/Red Drum; 3:15 pm –3:45 pm–Administrative Policy; 3:45 Frm 00012 pm–4 pm–Outreach & Education; 4 pm– 4:30 pm–Ad Hoc Allocation; 4:30 pm– 4:45 pm–Stone Crab/Spiny Lobster. The Council will discuss Other Business items from 4:45 pm–5:45 pm. The Council will conclude its meeting at 5:45 pm. Although other non-emergency issues not on the agendas may come before the Council and Committees for discussion, in accordance with the M-SFCMA, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. Actions of the Council and Committees will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in the agendas and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the M-SFCMA, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take action to address the emergency. The established times for addressing items on the agenda may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the agenda items. In order to further allow for such adjustments and completion of all items on the agenda, the meeting may be extended from, or completed prior to the date established in this notice. Special Accommodations These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Tina Trezza at the Council (see ADDRESSES) at least 5 working days prior to the meeting. Dated: May 13, 2008. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–10984 Filed 5–15–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S Council PO 00000 28435 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XH63 Permits; Foreign Fishing National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of receipt of foreign fishing application; request for comments. AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS publishes for public review and comment information regarding a foreign fishing application submitted under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery E:\FR\FM\16MYN1.SGM 16MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 96 (Friday, May 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28433-28435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11148]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No.: 080506632-8633-01]


Codeless and Semi-Codeless Access to the Global Positioning 
System

AGENCY: Office of Space Commercialization, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Space Commercialization seeks comments on a plan 
to transition the installed base of codeless and semi-codeless Global 
Positioning System (GPS) user equipment to next-generation equipment 
utilizing the modernized civil GPS signals known as L2C and L5. The 
plan was developed under the auspices of the National Executive 
Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT). 
Under the plan, the Department of Defense, as the operator of GPS, will 
continue

[[Page 28434]]

enabling codeless/semi-codeless GPS access until December 31, 2020, by 
which time the L2C and L5 signals will be available on 24 or more 
modernized GPS satellites. Users should re-equip to use the modernized 
signals, since codeless/semi-codeless GPS access cannot be assured 
beyond 2020.

DATES: Submit comments on or before June 16, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods: E-
mail: jason.kim@noaa.gov. Fax: (202) 482-4429 (Attn.: Jason Kim). Mail/
Courier: Jason Kim, Office of Space Commercialization, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, 6818 Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th St. & Pennsylvania 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230. Due to ongoing delays in mail 
delivery, respondents are encouraged to submit comments by mail early, 
or to transmit them electronically. Office hours for courier delivery 
are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jason Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, 
Office of Space Commercialization, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 
482-5827.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a 
U.S. Government constellation of 24 or more satellites providing 
precise positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities, free of 
direct user fees, on a continuous, worldwide basis. GPS currently 
transmits PNT information on two radio frequencies known as L1 (1575 
MHz) and L2 (1227 MHz). In the future, GPS will also transmit 
information on a third frequency known as L5 (1176 MHz).
    GPS transmits encrypted signals known as Y-code or P(Y)-code at the 
L1 and L2 frequencies. Y-code is intended primarily for U.S. and allied 
military use, but the civilian community has developed techniques that 
exploit Y-code at L1 and L2 to achieve significant accuracy gains. Such 
techniques, collectively known as codeless or semi-codeless GPS access, 
have been integrated into a range of GPS receivers sold commercially 
around the world.
    The Y-code signal was never designed or intended for codeless/semi-
codeless access. However, the Department of Defense, as the GPS 
operator, has historically supported codeless and semi-codeless users 
by documenting a time-limited commitment to the Y-code signal in the 
GPS Standard Positioning Service (SPS) Performance Standard and the 
Federal Radionavigation Plan. For example, the current GPS SPS 
Performance Standard (dated October 2001) includes the statement that, 
``Until such time as a second coded civil GPS signal is operational, 
the U.S. Government has agreed to not intentionally reduce the current 
received minimum Radio Frequency signal strength of the P(Y)-coded 
signal on the L2 link, as specified in ICD-GPS-200C or to intentionally 
alter the P(Y)-coded signal on the L2 link.'' As a result, 
manufacturers have continued to develop codeless/semi-codeless GPS 
equipment.
    The U.S. Government acknowledges the global use of GPS codeless and 
semi-codeless techniques and plans to maintain the existing GPS L1 Y-
code and L2 Y-code signal characteristics until such time that an 
alternative capability exists to replace it. Since 1999, the Department 
of Defense has worked closely with the civilian agencies on the 
National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT (and its predecessor, 
the Interagency GPS Executive Board) to add new capabilities to GPS 
that supplant the need for codeless/semi-codeless access. In 2005, the 
U.S. Air Force began launching modernized GPS satellites featuring a 
new civil signal at L2 called L2C. L2C is designed to work in 
combination with the legacy civil signal (called C/A) at L1 to enable 
high accuracy without codeless/semi-codeless techniques. In 2009, the 
Air Force will begin adding a third civil signal called L5 to all new 
GPS satellites. L5 will also work in combination with L1 C/A and/or L2C 
to enable high accuracy without codeless/semi-codeless techniques.
    The National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT seeks to 
encourage the development and adoption of next-generation GPS receivers 
that achieve high accuracy via use of L2C and/or L5 instead of 
codeless/semi-codeless techniques. To facilitate business decisions and 
stable planning for equipment developers and end users, the National 
Executive Committee intends to set a fixed target date for the 
equipment transition.
    The National Executive Committee proposes December 31, 2020, as the 
target date for transitioning the installed base of codeless/semi-
codeless GPS equipment to next-generation capabilities utilizing the 
modernized civil GPS signals. This date is based upon the current 
launch schedule for the GPS program, which will have 24 GPS satellites 
transmitting the L2C signal to users by 2016, and 24 GPS satellites 
transmitting L5 by 2018. The date is also based on preliminary 
discussions the Office of Space Commercialization has held with GPS 
equipment manufacturers. The manufacturers indicated that a transition 
period of approximately ten years should be sufficient to allow the 
installed base of codeless/semi-codeless GPS users to re-equip with 
next-generation receivers as part of their normal equipment 
amortization, obsolescence, and upgrade cycle.
    Should there be unforeseen delays in the GPS modernization program, 
the National Executive Committee will reassess the target date for the 
transition.
    After the transition date, the characteristics of the Y-code 
signals transmitted by modernized GPS satellites may change without 
further notice and may preclude codeless/semi-codeless use of the Y-
code signals. However, for those legacy satellites that have no 
modernized capabilities, codeless/semi-codeless access to Y-code at L1 
and L2 will continue until those satellites are decommissioned.
    The Office of Space Commercialization encourages the GPS user 
community and manufacturing industry to provide feedback on this 
proposed plan within the next 30 days. Both domestic and international 
comments are welcome due to the global nature of GPS use. The National 
Executive Committee will take the public comments into account as it 
prepares a final announcement on the date for the codeless/semi-
codeless GPS transition. The Department of Defense will publish the 
final announcement in the Federal Register.
    Concurrent with the final transition plan announcement, the 
Department of Defense intends to release an update to the SPS 
Performance Standard that no longer includes a reference to Y-code 
stability in support of codeless/semi-codeless access. The final 
announcement would serve to document the government's continued 
commitment to protect codeless/semi-codeless GPS access through the end 
of the transition period. Specifically, the final announcement would 
commit the Department of Defense to maintaining the existing GPS L1 Y-
code and L2 Y-code signal characteristics until December 31, 2020. The 
announcement would also state that should there be unforeseen delays in 
the GPS modernization program, the date will be reassessed.
    Instructions for the submission of comments.
    Page Limit--Submissions should be limited to a maximum length of 
four pages.
    Identification and Cover Sheet--Mark each page of the submission 
with the docket number, submitter's name (and

[[Page 28435]]

organization, if applicable), date of submission, and contact 
information (if the submitter chooses to provide it).
    Additional information--The Office of Space Commercialization 
encourages interested persons who wish to comment to do so at the 
earliest possible time. The Office will consider all comments received 
before the close of the comment period on June 16, 2008. Consideration 
of comments received after the end of the comment period cannot be 
assured. The Office will not accept comments accompanied by a request 
that part or all of the material be treated confidentially because of 
its business proprietary nature or for any other reason. All comments 
submitted in response to this notice will be a matter of public record 
and will be available for public inspection and copying at https://
www.space.commerce.gov.

    Authority: NSPD-39; 10 USC Sec 2281(b)(5).

    Dated: May 14, 2008.
Ed Morris,
Director, Office of Space Commercialization.
 [FR Doc. E8-11148 Filed 5-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P

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