2. What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radio
navigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States
Air Force. It is a global navigation satellite system that provides geolocation and time
information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line
of sight to four or more GPS satellites. Obstacles such as mountains and buildings block the
relatively weak GPS signals.
4. Invention of GPS:-
The Global Positioning System was invented during the Cold War. GPS navigation system was
originally developed for the U.S. Department of Defense using 24 satellites.
It was invented by Dr. Ivan Getting and the Department of Defense at a cost of 12 billion dollars.
The US Navy began using the system in 1960 for ship navigation.
6. The First GPS:-
The original set up used eighteen satellites.
Six satellites were placed in three different orbital planes spaced 120 degrees apart.
It had ground stations to receive the signals from the satellites.
It was designed for the military and was up and running in the early 1960s for all branches of the
military.
