History of Computers - GPS

GPS

The GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a series of satellites which allow devices on earth to obtain a precise location. The first system, called TRANSIT, was initially developed in 1959 by the John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and the system was declared operational in 1962.The GPS system began as a system for the military,but in 1967 the TRANSIT system was made available to the public. [1]

Overview

The GPS works by having satellites in orbit broadcast the time of the message. The handheld device obtains this information from four satellites, which it can then use to determine it's precise location. File:Http://www.nasm.si.edu/gps/120-L4.jpg