The History of GPS and How it Works
The modern day GPS is widely used and most people own one today. The original purpose of the GPS was not for personal use. It was designed for military use to track airborne objects and other objects that could not be seen in a normal line of sight.
The modern GPS dates back to the late 1950’s. Russia was beginning there space exploration with Sputnik. People who were following the spacecraft when it was traveling realized that you could track it with radio signals. With this discovery the beginning of GPS was born. The United States government began to work on developing this technology in the mid-1960’s when the Transit System project was launched. The Transit System was a system of 6 satellites that were to begin circling the earth. They were to be used primarily to help track the progress and direction of missiles and submarines. The first satellite was put into orbit around the earth in 1978 by the United States Department of Defense.
Today’s GPS Navigation and Global Positioning System can often be found on the windshield of a car or on a motorcycle and bicycle. This technology is so popular that this advanced mapping system that newer cars are even being designed with GPS included as a standard feature. But what many fail to realize is that GPS began as much more than a device used by the directionally challenged. GPS Navigation began as a before it’s time and promising piece of equipment designed by the United States Government for military and government use exclusively.
Today this system includes the operation of 24 satellites that continually orbit the earth in a very precise track. The satellites are used for a variety of functions that include navigation, GPS mapping and tracking. With the assistance of these satellites that are only visible at night we can accurately depict our location, the location of someone else, or the location of where we want to travel. What is more incredible is how small such a system is now. Today’s GPS can fit into the palm of your hand and yet holds enormous power. Some navigation units are even built into watches which are not much larger than a quarter! The smaller GPS is popular for hikers and bikers because it is easy to carry and know your exact location.
The GPS technology is continually changing and only the future will be able to tell us what will happen with it because the possibilities are limitless. With today’s vehicles, the built in GPS has much more than the navigation. Current technology has the capabilities to put traffic information, weather and news information right into the GPS and map it! Even gas stations with the current prices can be used with the MSN Direct service included in some GPS purchases.
The GPS Technology is a major technological advancement and is used widely within places you may not even realize. Check out some of the newest and greatest devices available at Quality GPS World. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/gps-articles/the-history-of-gps-and-how-it-works-945613.html
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