Over the years, GPS has played an important role in getting people to places at the touch of a button. But what is GPS and how is it connected to space?
What is it?
GPS or Global Positioning System is a system of navigation satellites circling Earth that helps people identify where they are and how they can get to some place. GPS is accessible to people as an independent device as well as through features on their smartphone.
How does it work?
The GPS system is made up of three parts – satellites, ground stations and receivers. Thirty-one navigation satellites orbiting Earth are tracked and monitored by ground stations located in different places in the world. These ground stations check if the satellites are where they are supposed to be in orbit so that the signal received from them are accurate.
The receiver, such as the one found on a smartphone or the GPS device in some cars, constantly listens to signals from the navigation satellites. Once it manages to calculate its distance from four or more satellites, the receiver knows exactly where it is placed.
This system can help users determine where they are within a few metres of their actual location. Based on the strength of the receiver, the location’s accuracy increases. So, more advanced receivers can be accurate in determining location down to a few inches.
Picture Credit : Google