GPS is everywhere—on your phone, in your car, even on your wrist—but what the heck even is it and how does it work?
GPS is short for Global Positioning System. It’s a satellite-based navigation system that helps people find their precise location on Earth.
Before GPS, navigation involved paper maps or very specialized tools like sextants and chronometers. Now, satellites orbiting the Earth 12,000 miles up can guide pizza delivery drivers to your house before the cheese cools.
Back in 1973, the military began looking for a reliable, accurate means of electronic navigation. Existing systems didn’t always work accurately enough for military purposes, and some were vulnerable to an enemy attack.
The system that was developed allowed a GPS receiver to connect to three or more satellites to trilaterate their position, but it was limited to military use until the 1980s. President Ronald Reagan made it available to the world after a Korean airliner was shot down by Soviet fighters when it strayed off course due to navigational errors.
GPS is still owned by the U.S. government and the satellites are operated by the Air Force, though it’s available for use by anyone in the world with a GPS receiver.
Technological advances have improved GPS’ accuracy, and the newest systems will allow a user to pinpoint their position to within less than a foot.
Quick facts:
1
GPS was developed by the U.S. military, but is free for anyone in the world to use.
2
The Gulf War was the first time the military used GPS in combat.
3
Early military ''handheld'' GPS receivers weighed 35 pounds.
4
The first GPS-enabled cell phones appeared in 2004.
5
GPS has two levels of service: Standard Positioning Service, available free worldwide, and Precise Positioning Service, which is restricted to U.S. armed forces and federal agencies and to selected allies.
6
Other countries are developing their own versions of GPS, such as the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, or GLONASS, and China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.
FAQs
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a "constellation" of 31 well-spaced satellites that orbit the Earth and make it possible for people with ground receivers to pinpoint their geographic location.
What is the Global Positioning System? ›
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based radio-navigation system consisting of a constellation of satellites broadcasting navigation signals and a network of ground stations and satellite control stations used for monitoring and control.
What is a Global Positioning System GPS Quizlet? ›
Global Positioning System - a system that utilizes space satellites to give positioning, navigation, and timing information. Consists of a constellation of satellites transmitting radio signals to users.
How does the Global Positioning System locate objects on Earth? ›
Satellites orbiting the earth send signals to be read and interpreted by a GPS device, situated on or near the earth's surface. To calculate location, a GPS device must be able to read the signal from at least four satellites.
What is the Global Positioning System consists of Earth satellites? ›
GPS is a system of 30+ navigation satellites orbiting the Earth. We know their location precisely because they invariably send out signals. The GPS receiver in your phone receives these signals. Once the receiver calculates its distance from four or more GPS satellites, it can figure out exactly where you are.
What is a real world example of Global Positioning System? ›
Applications in the aviation industry
The global positioning system is also applied in the aviation industry. Almost all aircraft now rely on GPS technology to direct and navigate their course during a flight. It also helps in air traffic control by sending the locations of one plane to others within an area.
What is the Global Positioning System standard? ›
The U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) Standard Positioning Service (SPS) consists of space-based positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) signals delivered free of direct user fees for peaceful civil, commercial, and scientific uses worldwide.
What is the Global Positioning System GPS based on? ›
Satellite Navigation is based on a global network of satellites that transmit radio signals from medium earth orbit. Users of Satellite Navigation are most familiar with the 31 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites developed and operated by the United States.
Is GPS stands for Global Positioning System group of answer choices True False? ›
The correct answer is Global Positioning System. GPS, or the Global Positioning System, is a global navigation satellite system that provides location, velocity, and time synchronization. The satellite system consists of a constellation of 24 satellites in six Earth-centered orbital planes.
How does a Global Positioning System tell your location? ›
Multiple satellites beam signals at the speed of light toward Earth, and your device receives the signals at slightly different times, based on how far away each satellite is from your location. These times can be used to calculate the differences in distance from each satellite to determine your location on Earth.
GPS receivers take the GPS' information and use triangulation to calculate their exact location. Essentially, the GPS receiver compares the time a signal was transmitted by a satellite with the time it was received. The time difference tells the GPS receiver how far away the satellite is.
What is GPS and how does it work? ›
GPS is a system of 30+ navigation satellites circling Earth. We know where they are because they constantly send out signals. A GPS receiver in your phone listens for these signals. Once the receiver calculates its distance from four or more GPS satellites, it can figure out where you are.
How do global positioning satellites locate a point on Earth? ›
Each satellite transmits its position and time at regular intervals and those signals are intercepted by GPS receivers (the user segment). The receiver is able to determine its position by calculating how long it took for the signals to reach it.
What are the components of the Global Positioning System? ›
The major components of the global positioning system are the Satellites, ground stations, and a receiver.
What is Global Positioning System in GIS? ›
A global positioning system (GPS) is a network of satellites and receiving devices used to determine the location of something on Earth. Some GPS receivers are so accurate they can establish their location within 1 centimeter.
How does GPS work without internet? ›
GPS does not require any form of internet connectivity. GPS depends on signals from satellites. Anyone can harness these signals using a GPS receiver. You can test this fact by turning off the internet connection on your phone and using Google Maps.
What is Global Positioning System in AP Human Geography? ›
Global Positioning System. Explanation: Global Positioning System, or GPS, is commonly used to determine an individual's exact location on Earth. GPS utilizes a satellite navigation system to provide location information anywhere on Earth.
What is GPS most commonly used for? ›
Location – determining a position. Navigation – getting from one location to another. Tracking – monitoring object or personal movement. Mapping – creating maps of the world.
What is GPS and its advantages and disadvantages? ›
GPS is extremely easy to navigate because it tells you to direction for every turns you're taking otherwise you need to fancy reach to your destination. GPS works altogether weather so you would like to not worry of climate as in other navigating devices. GPS costs you very low as compared other navigation systems.
