Development of the GPS System

The global positioning system (GPS) gives both public and private businesses the ability to locate the exact position of a building, vehicle or person. The system is based on concepts developed during World War II and the early part of the Cold War. Ground-based navigation systems and the launch of Sputnik by the Soviet Union influenced the U.S. military to design and implement the system.

Origins

The U.S. Navy launched the first satellite navigation system in 1967. Called Transit, it incorporated five satellites that could provide a fix on a specific location. Using the Doppler effect, it could pinpoint the exact location of a building or ship.

First Generation

The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. It was essentially experimental, but in 1983 President Ronald Reagan brought the project to civilian use after a Korean airliner was shot down after it accidentally entered Soviet airspace.

Completion

Ten more GPS satellites were launched in 1985, creating a full network that functioned worldwide. The success of these spurred the development of next-generation satellites to help the navigation process.

Second Generation

The second generation of GPS satellites were placed in orbit beginning in 1989. This continued over the next few years until the system reached full operational status in 1995.

Potential

As of 2009, 31 different satellites are in orbit to make the GPS system function. An additional 11 satellites are planned, and preparations for the third generation, to be launched in 2014, are under way.

References

• The Development of GPS
• The History of GPS
• National Park Service History of GPS

Resources

• GPS Development Timeline