What will happen if there is an error in location determination in an Inertial Navigation System?

In an Inertial Navigation System (INS), which relies on detecting changes in position, velocity, and orientation, accurate location determination is critical for maintaining precision. If there is an error in location determination, it leads to cumulative inaccuracies in the navigation data. This affects the system's ability to track position and movement effectively.

Since an INS uses algorithms based on initial position and subsequent movements (acceleration and rotation) to calculate current position, any initial error magnifies over time. This can result in significant discrepancies between the actual location and the estimated location, leading to what is known as "drift." Thus, the tracking data becomes less reliable, affecting the overall navigation system's effectiveness.

In this context, while altitude readings might show some variation, and speed data can be less relevant in some scenarios, the most significant consequence of an error in location determination is directly related to the integrity of the tracking data itself. An accurate determination of position is essential for all other aspects of navigation; errors will propagate and lead to incorrect tracking outcomes.