Global Positioning System

<p>The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a <a href="/facts/Radionavigation-satellite_service/yv3AqJ2h">satellite-based</a> <a href="/facts/Hyperbolic_navigation/YSg8uWCN">Hyperbolic navigation</a> system owned by the <a href="/facts/United_States_Space_Force/bWlsxC5D">United States Space Force</a> and operated by <a href="/facts/Mission_Delta_31/lTCQkdzl">Mission Delta 31</a>. It is one of the <a href="/facts/Satellite_navigation/lVgPlF5v">global navigation satellite systems</a> (GNSS) that provide <a href="/facts/Geolocation/yY41HfWV">geolocation</a> and <a href="/facts/Time_transfer/uFU4DKtJ">time information</a> to a <a href="/facts/Satellite_navigation_device/MmeJ3XWK">GPS receiver</a> anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It does not require the user to transmit any data, and operates independently of any telephone or Internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the GPS positioning information. It provides critical positioning capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. Although the United States government created, controls, and maintains the GPS system, it is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.
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Global Positioning System open-in-new

Global Positioning System