History of Computers - Global Positioning System

Intro

The GPS (Global Positioning System), is a series of satellites which collaborate with each other to triangulate an object's precise location. The first GPS satellite system launched in 1967 was called TRANSIT, but was initially developed in 1959. The GPS system began as a system for the military, but in 1967, TRANSIT begun being used by the public.

Overview

The GPS system uses four satellites to find an objects precise location by determining the distance from the satellite the receiver by finding the amount of time it took the device to receive the signal. Using the distance, each satellite determines that the receiver is that distance away in an unknown direction, each satellite helps to triangulate the receiver’s exact location by pooling the data to find a common point that is the appropriate distance away from each satellite. The current GPS system consists of 24 geostationary satellites world wide that is monitored and maintained by the United States Air Force.

Significance

The GPS is significant because of its monumental implications in the military as well as its practical use in everyday life. By being able to calculate a person’s exact location at any time, the GPS has made maps obsolete, a medium that had been used for thousands of years prior to the GPS. Now families are able to travel with ease through the country side. Ultimately a GPS is most useful because of its dependability to give an accurate location anywhere, at any time.

References

[1] [2]