About Satellite Tracking Systems

GPS satellites orbit the earth twice in less than 24 hours, travelling 7,000 mph

The Soviet Union launched "Sputnik", the first world's first artificial satellite in 1957. Since then thousands of global satellite tracking systems have become space-borne. Satellites have a wide range of functional applications including navigation, science and military intelligence.

Navigation Tracking

The United States uses a nationally recognized navigation satellite system known as the Navigation Signal Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS), controlled by the United States Air Force. The system consists of 24 synchronized satellites capable of locating any object on earth that is carrying a GPS-specific radio receiver. Civilians use GPS devices as plotting tools to pin-point exact address coordinates and navigate their way to them.

Scientific Tracking

NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit in 1990. This satellite takes photographs of galaxies, planets and stars which serve to educate scientists about the universe. Meteorologists use atmospheric satellites such as NASA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) to forecast the arrival of dangerous weather.

Military Tracking

A network of Northrop Grumman-built satellites, known collectively as the Defense Support Program (DSP), orbit space to detect, track and report ballistic missile launches.This military satellite system has been used since 1970 to support the U.S./Canadian organization known as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

References

• NASA: Sputnik and The Dawn of the Space Age
• Vehicle Solutions: Satellite Information
• Hubble Site: Hubble Essentials
• Northrop Grumman: Defense Support Program (DSP)
• North American Aerospace Defense Command: About NORAD

Resources

• NASA: A History of GPS Sounding
• NASA: Real Data Index
• Aerospace Corporation: A History of U.S. Military Satellite Communication Systems