GPS Navigation Improvements

The Global Navigation System was designed for the US Military. The first GPS satellite was launched early in 1978 and the twenty fourth of the first generation satellites was launched in October 1985. The launching of the GPS system forever changed the way wars are waged and ultimately land and water navigation by the public around the world. President Ronald Reagan decreed the GPS signals were to be available to the public for their benefit. Receiving GPS signals is free if you own or purchase a GPS unit.

The only difference in the signals received by the US Military and the public is signal accuracy. Signals received by the public are accurate to within one meter anywhere in the world. Military GPS signals are more accurate. Also US government installations and other sensitive sites are automatically blocked from civilian GPS units for the sake of safety.

The GPS satellite system is managed by the US Air Force. These satellites orbit the earth in precise orbits once each day.

Civilian use of the GPS system has taken off in the last ten years. Units are now available for practically any use you can imagine. Units are available for cars, commercial trucks, agriculture, ships, boats and multiple other uses. Handheld units have become very popular for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, biking and units are available that are only used to track people, cars and animals. Of course surveyors and map makers also use GPS technology. Ocean going shippers now use individual units in cargo shipments to keep up with cargo for more accurate timing and delivery operations. Carriers such as UPS use GPS units for more precise routing and finding addresses for delivery.

Other governments like Russia and China are working on GPS technology for their own use. It seems like the world has really taken notice of our Yankee ingenuity and is trying to catch up with our technology.

GPS receivers need data from three satellites for basic navigation and four for precise information. WAAS is a synonym for Wide Area Augmentation System, developed for the Federal Aviation Administration for aircraft safety. Using WAAS planes can take off and land without any visual information. It allows accuracy to within three meters anywhere in the world.

Join the GPS revolution and realize the benefits.

Author: LaZinnia Manley All Rights Reserved 08-24-2009

For more information visit me at Garmin Handheld GPS.

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