Global Positioning System
hideThe Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) developed by the United States Department of Defense and managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. It is the only fully functional GNSS in the world, can be used freely by anyone, anywhere, and is often used by civilians for navigation purposes. It uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise radiowave signals, which allow GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and their velocity. Its official name is NAVSTAR GPS. Although NAVSTAR is not an acronym, a few backronyms have been created for it.
Since it became fully operational on April 27, 1995, GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, tracking and surveillance, and hobbies such as geocaching. Also, the precise time reference is used in many applications including the scientific study of earthquakes and as a required time synchronization method for cellular network protocols such as the IS-95 standard for CDMA.
For more information about Global Positioning System, read the full article at
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News tagged with global positioning satellite
GPS to track blue sheep and snow leopard
Nov 06, 2009 |
3 / 5 (2) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists hope to improve the survival odds of the endangered snow leopard in Nepal by venturing into the remote Himalayas to study its main prey, the Bharal or blue sheep.
GPS shoes for Alzheimer's patients
Technology / Hi Tech & Innovation
Jun 06, 2009 |
3.5 / 5 (2) |
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A shoe-maker and a technology company are teaming up to develop footwear with a built-in GPS device that could help track down "wandering" seniors suffering from Alzheimer's Disease.
GOCE successfully completes early orbit phase
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Mar 20, 2009 |
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ESA's GOCE satellite was formally declared ready for work at 01:00 CET on 20 March. During the critical Launch and Early Orbit Phase beginning with separation from its booster on 17 March, GOCE was checked ...
Obama's CIO: Gov't data can drive innovation
Mar 12, 2009 |
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(AP) -- The White House's first chief information officer, Vivek Kundra, wants Americans to have access to more government data to drive innovation and help stimulate the economy.
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China launches orbiter for navigation system: state media
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Jan 17, 2010 |
4.4 / 5 (5) |
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China launched an orbiter into space early Sunday, the latest stage in the development of its own satellite navigation system, state media said.
China launches gps satellite: report
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Apr 15, 2009 |
5 / 5 (1) |
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China launched a navigational satellite, the nation's space administration reported, the second in a series of up to 30 orbiters to comprise a global positioning network.
Germany's OHB to win EU Galileo satellite contract: source
Jan 06, 2010 |
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The European Commission will on Thursday award Germany's OHB Technology a contract for at least eight satellites for its Galileo satnav system, dealing a blow to rival EADS Astrium, an industry source said.
GPS System Could Start Failing by Next Year
May 20, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- A federal watchdog agency has warned the U.S. Congress that the GPS system could start failing in 2010 and beyond. Due to delays in launching replacement satellites and other circumstances, ...
Canadian police consider GPS for people with Alzheimer's
Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets
Dec 23, 2009 |
4 / 5 (2) |
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Police in Montreal are studying the possibility of offering GPS bracelets to people suffering from Alzheimer's disease, an official told AFP.
Next-Generation Air Transportation System to Ultimately Succeed, Computer Scientist Predicts
Dec 16, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The Next Generation Air Transportation System, known as NextGen, is due for national implementation in stages between now and 2018. "I am predicting ultimate success and a system that will provide a much ...
Norway joins EU's Galileo satnav project
Space & Earth / Space Exploration
Apr 03, 2009 |
2.3 / 5 (3) |
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Norway said Friday it will stump up close to 70 million euros in funding for the European Union's satellite navigation project Galileo.
Safely on the move
Jul 14, 2009 |
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How can rescue units be better protected during disaster operations or avalanche victims be found quicker? A new localization system connects satellite-based positioning systems with terrestrial locating aids and situation-dependent ...
EU Galileo satnav system to begin operations in 2014
Jan 07, 2010 |
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The EU's much-delayed Galileo sat-nav network will begin operation in 2014, the European Commission said Thursday as it awarded key contracts to Germany's OHB System and France's Arianespace.
Siemens Brings GPS to the Cell Phone Network
Mar 03, 2005 |
2.5 / 5 (2) |
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Siemens has developed a solution that’s making it easier for mobile phone companies to offer their customers virtual guided tours and other positioning services. This is possible thanks to A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning ...
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