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Evolution of Gps Technology

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Submitted By MarVarCaver
Words 801
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Aaron Baker
7 October 2012
The Evolution of GPS Technology Good morning my name is Aaron Baker and today I’m going to speak to you about GPS technology. GPS is an abbreviation for the Global Positioning System, which is what we use today to pinpoint locations around the globe. The GPS system is valuable because it has many civilian and military uses. I will inform you about what exactly GPS is and I will also highlight some of its uses.
In the early 1950’s during the race to space, the United States Department of Defense realized that tracking the position of satellites in space could be used to pinpoint fixed locations on the earth’s surface. Not until 1973 did research and development begin for the technology we rely on everyday known as the Global Positioning System (GPS). From 1978 to 1985 a total of 11 Block I GPS satellites were launched into orbit. The Block I satellites were the experimental satellites used to test the system. Eleven (11) were launched, none functioning. Following this launch Block II satellites were sent into orbit, this occurred in 1989. The Block II satellites comprise the first nine spacecraft of the operational series. In 1994 the last series of Block IIA satellites were sent into orbit, this completed the GPS satellite constellation. The Block IIA satellites comprise the second 19 spacecraft of the operational series. This is the system we use today.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a constellation of 27 earth orbiting satellites. Only 24 of the 27 satellites are in operation, the other three are backups in case one of the satellites fails. Each satellite is built to last about 10 years which means replacements are constantly being built and sent into orbit. The satellites weigh approximately 2,000 pounds each and are about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended. A GPS receiver knows the location of the satellites because that information is included in the transmitted Ephemeris data. Ephemeris data is data that tells the GPS receiver where each GPS satellite should be at any time throughout the day. Each satellite will broadcast its own ephemeris data showing the orbital information for that satellite only. By estimating how far away a satellite is, the receiver also knows it is located somewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere centered at the satellite. It then determines the sizes of several spheres one for each satellite the receiver has received signal from, and therefore knows the receiver is located where these spheres intersect. (Griffin)
The GPS receiver is what makes the technology useful. There are 1000’s of different types of GPS receivers, the most common GPS most people are familiar with is the portable road GPS that you use in your car. Another GPS you may be familiar with is the handheld GPS used for activities such as hiking, geocaching, hunting and many other things.
The invention of GPS has changed the way we navigate and has made traveling much easier. Before GPS you needed a compass, a map, or know how to navigate by using the sky. There are many different uses and applications for GPS. A lot of people use GPS every day, such as the military personnel rely on GPS when flying uav (Unmanned Ariel Vehicle), truck drivers use it to get from point a to point b, or maybe your using it for geocahing and the list can go on and on. GPS is a very important tool, and in some cases without this technology some things would not be possible. Such as there are many military missiles that use GPS guidance systems to hit their target hundreds of miles away and without GPS that task would not be possible.
In conclusion, GPS technology was first developed in 1973. GPS is used to show the positioning of objects and places on the earth’s surface. Today there are twenty four functioning, orbiting satellites up in space. All of these satellites are devoted to the use of GPS Technology. GPS is used by the military, and also for civilian use. The invention of GPS technology has evolved through the years and has become a helpful tool in many aspects of everyday life.

Bibliography 1. Griffin, Darren. "How does the Global Positioning System Work?" Pocket GPS World. Pocket GPS World, 26/06/2011. Web. 9 Oct 2012. 2. Kumar, Sameer. “The Evolution of Global Positioning System (GPS) Technology.” Journal of Science Education and Technology. 11.1 (2002): 59-80. Web. 4 Oct. 2012 3. .”History of NAVSTAR GPS.” The GPS System. Kowoma.de, 19/04/2009. Web. 4 Oct 2012. <http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/history.htm>. 4. “What is GPS?” Garmin. Garmin, n.d. Web. 2 Oct 2012. <http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/>

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