The Global Positioning System: How Satellite Navigation Works

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information anywhere on or near the Earth. The system consists of a network of about 30 satellites that orbit our planet twice a day. Each satellite continuously transmits signals containing its precise location and the current time. A GPS receiver, such as the one in a smartphone or a car, needs to receive signals from at least four satellites to calculate its position accurately. The receiver measures the time it takes for each signal to arrive and uses this information to determine its distance from each satellite. By combining the data from multiple satellites, the receiver can calculate its exact three-dimensional position: latitude, longitude, and altitude. Originally developed by the United States for military purposes, GPS technology became available for public use in the 1980s. Today, it is a fundamental tool for countless civilian applications, from vehicle navigation and mapping to scientific research and emergency services. Its widespread availability has significantly changed how we travel and understand our world.

Câu hỏi luyện tập

1. What is the primary function of the Global Positioning System?

2. According to the passage, how often do the GPS satellites circle the Earth?

3. What is the minimum number of satellite signals a GPS receiver needs for an accurate calculation?

4. For which original reason was GPS technology first developed?

5. What kind of position can a receiver calculate by combining data from multiple satellites?

6. Today, GPS is described as a fundamental tool for many of what kind of uses?

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