Navstar Global Positioning System
The Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of orbiting satellites that provides navigation data to military and civilian users all over the world.
The GPS is a space-based radio-positioning and time transfer system. The
GPS has three major segments: Space Segment, Control Segment, and
User Segment. As a universal positioning system, GPS provides several
characteristics not found in other existing equipment which will enhance the
conduct of mission operations: Extremely accurate (3-dimensional)
position, velocity and time (PVT) determination; a worldwide common grid
easily converted to other local datums; passive, all weather operation;
real-time and continuous information; and survivability in a hostile
environment
GPS provides 24-hour navigation services which include:
- Extremely accurate three-dimensional location information (latitude, longitude and altitude), velocity and precise time.
- A worldwide common grid that is easily converted to any local grid.
- Passive all-weather operations.
- Continuous real-time information.
- Support to an unlimited number of users and areas.
- Support to civilian users at a slightly less accurate level.
GPS satellites orbit the earth every 12 hours emitting continuous navigation signals. With the proper equipment, users can receive these signals to calculate time, location and velocity. The signals are so accurate, time can be figured to within a millionth of a second, velocity within a fraction of a mile per hour and location to within a few feet. Receivers have been developed for use in aircraft, ships and land vehicles as well as for hand carrying.
Resources
- GPS Overview, NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office
- NAVSTAR GPS Joint Program Office
- National Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Executive Committee
- U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center
- FAA: Satellite Product Navigation Teams
- U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS), State Dept Fact Sheet, June 8, 2005
- Re-Tuning the GPS Constellation, Performance Analysis Working Group, 1999 [PowerPoint file]
- Joint DOD/DOT Task Force Report December 21, 1993
- Position/Navigation Satellite Systems ARMY SPACE REFERENCE TEXT
- GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON A NEW GPS SIGNAL IN SPACE
Commerce Business Daily June 23, 1997
- WIDE AREA AUGMENTATION SYSTEM (WAAS) SPACE SEGMENT SERVICE - National Reconnaissance Office - January 8, 1998
- Global Positioning System marks 20th anniversary Released: Feb 24, 1998
- Global Positioning System celebrates 20 years of service By Aaron Renenger, SMC Public Affairs Office AFMC News Service # 98-3-20 — MAR. 23, 1998
- Space systems like GPS support joint forces near Iraq ASTRO NEWS Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. March 27, 1998
- ADDITIONAL CIVIL CODED SIGNALS ON FUTURE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) SATELLITES March 30, 1998
- VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES ENHANCEMENTS TO THE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM THAT WILL BENEFIT CIVILIAN USERS WORLDWIDE March 30, 1998
- VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES NEW GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM MODERNIZATION INITIATIVE January 25, 1999 -- Vice President Gore announced today a $400 million new initiative in the President's balanced budget that will modernize the Global Positioning System (GPS) and will add two new civil signals to future GPS satellites, significantly enhancing the service provided to civil, commercial, and scientific users worldwide.
http://www.fas.org/spp/military/program/nav/gps.htm
Maintained by Steven Aftergood
Created by John Pike
Updated January 17, 2006
