Captain Speaking: This Is Your Captain Speaking....!!!

All about GPS

- Capt. Sathish Soundarraj

The most powerful tool now and in future is undoubtedly NAVSTARGPS- “Navigation Satellite Timing & Ranging Global Positioning System” commonly known as GPS. Though GPS was developed for Defense purposes but their civil applications has become a seriously must today, from using Google Maps to finding a restaurant around us or to navigate around the city, we are very much dependent on GPS. Not just limited to mobile devises also Aircrafts, Ships, Submarines, Trains, Cars and the Space shuttle, all use’s GPS to navigate.

Everest Fact

Height of the Mount Everest was corrected in the late 1980’s by using GPS.

The Start

The GPS system project began by U.S. military force to precisely determine their position and time anywhere on or near the earth. The first experimental satellite was launched in 1978 & by 1994 all 24 GPS satellites were orbiting Earth. 24 satellite which is placed at 22,200km above the earth surface and orbiting a full revolve around earth in 12hrs. At first around 1980’s, GPS available for civilian use was not accurate, It would only locate a GPS receiver within about 300 meters. Today, an accurate signal is free and available to anyone who use’s a GPS receiver. Even though U.S Military gave their great leap GPS to civilian use for free, the GPS has two position services, one is “Standard Position Service” for civilian use which is not accurate compared to “Precise Position Service” exclusive for USA military personnels.

Satellite Fact

Each GPS satellites weigh 9,000kgs & is powered by solar energy, also batteries are equipped incase solar power is limited.

GPS Concept