Originally Posted by
Dont Hang Up
Any attempt at calculating movement is meaningless unless you know the tolerance of the ping-ranging in the first place. The maths just doesn't work. However as a general rule, the chances of being the same range from the satellite after one hour of flying... Well it's possible but one heck of a coincidence.
Right, because the satellite rings (as they are being presented) are not finite lines upon the earth. They are likely a close approximation. Telling us that the last ping was on (or near) the 40-deg ring might actually be 40-deg ring +/- 2.5 deg (i.e. the reporting tolerance). Depending on ground speed of the aircraft, it might have been within this
reporting arc but actually moving somewhat tangent to the satellite central location (not to mention that the satellite drifts slightly about it's intended parking station).