The Evolution of the GPS

Emily Evans
Emily has worked in the media and communications industry in Western Australia as both a TV journalist and media advisor. She has a passion for scientific research and enjoys writing about the latest and quirkiest discoveries.

Invented as a US military tool almost 50 years ago, the Global Positioning System has become a global navigational tool.

Whether you’re on a plane, on a boat or in a car, it will get you to your destination.

Commonly known as GPS, it uses satellites to provide accurate location information.

These days, it’s used by most gadgets – from phones to smartwatches – but the technology is less than 50 years old. 

BORN FROM A SPACE RACE

The birth of GPS dates back to the infamous global space race and the launch of the Sputnik satellite by Russia in 1957.

As Sputnik orbited Earth, scientists detected a shift in its radio signal depending on its position. This is now known as the Doppler effect.

A few years later, the US military used this concept to track US submarines containing nuclear missiles using signals from six satellites orbiting the Earth’s poles.

By the 1970s, the United States Air Force was developing a navigation system using dedicated navigation satellites for use by the military.

By 1983, the US Government unveiled the Global Positioning System. 

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY

GPS is a network of at least 24 satellites constantly sending radio signals while orbiting Earth.

These radio signals are detected by GPS receivers, which measure the time taken to receive the radio waves to calculate its distance from each satellite.

These measurements can be used to determine the latitude, longitude and altitude of a device, providing its exact location.  

This system can be used for navigation, mapping and tracking, making it useful for a variety of industries from shipping to aviation. It’s even used to track your Uber Eats delivery! 

TO THE FUTURE… AND BEYOND!

GPS is still owned and operated by the United States Government.

Other countries are developing their own GPS. Australia and New Zealand recently co-launched SouthPAN, which is designed to suit the two countries’ specific needs.

As well as satellites, this system will use ground stations to provide more precise positioning information, with locations expected to be as accurate as 10 centimetres.

The improved accuracy could help overcome gaps in mobile and internet coverage, particularly in regional and remote areas with poor phone reception.

While GPS was created during the global space race, the next generation of cutting-edge location technology could be created in Australia’s own backyard.

This article was originally published by Particle.