The History of GPS and How it Works

The modern day GPS is widely used and mostmapping system that newer cars are even being
people own one today. The original purpose of thedesigned with GPS included as a standard feature.
GPS was not for personal use. It was designedBut what many fail to realize is that GPS began
for military use to track airborne objects andas much more than a device used by the
other objects that could not be seen in a normaldirectionally challenged. GPS Navigation began as a
line of sight.before it's time and promising piece of equipment
The modern GPS dates back to the late 1950's.designed by the United States Government for
Russia was beginning there space exploration withmilitary and government use exclusively.
Sputnik. People who were following the spacecraftToday this system includes the operation of 24
when it was traveling realized that you could tracksatellites that continually orbit the earth in a very
it with radio signals. With this discovery theprecise track. The satellites are used for a variety
beginning of GPS was born. The United Statesof functions that include navigation, GPS mapping
government began to work on developing thisand tracking. With the assistance of these
technology in the mid-1960's when the Transitsatellites that are only visible at night we can
System project was launched. The Transitaccurately depict our location, the location of
System was a system of 6 satellites that weresomeone else, or the location of where we want
to begin circling the earth. They were to be usedto travel. What is more incredible is how small
primarily to help track the progress and directionsuch a system is now. Today's GPS can fit into
of missiles and submarines. The first satellite wasthe palm of your hand and yet holds enormous
put into orbit around the earth in 1978 by thepower. Some navigation units are even built into
United States Department of Defense.watches which are not much larger than a
Today's GPS Navigation and Global Positioningquarter! The smaller GPS is popular for hikers and
System can often be found on the windshield ofbikers because it is easy to carry and know your
a car or on a motorcycle and bicycle. Thisexact location.
technology is so popular that this advanced