Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography & More The Global Positioning System
Sep 23, 2020
Discover the fascinating world of GPS technology and its impact on our daily lives. Explore its evolution from a military tool to a civilian essential, shaped by historical milestones like Sputnik 1. Uncover the mechanics behind how satellites pinpoint our locations with remarkable accuracy. Finally, dive into the future of navigation, examining not just GPS, but also alternative systems and the implications of relying too heavily on one technology. It's a deep dive into the digital map that guides us all.
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Time Is The Core Of Satellite Navigation
- Satellite time signals enabled navigation by letting receivers calculate distance from time delays.
- Early Timation and Transit tests proved placing precise clocks in orbit was the key to global navigation.
Transit Guided Early Submarines
- Transit started in 1960 to help Polaris submarines get locations for missile firing.
- Transit delivered ~200 meter accuracy but took long to get a position fix, limiting real-time use.
Civilian Access After KAL 007
- Navstar launched its first satellite in 1978 as a military positioning system.
- After KAL 007's shootdown in 1983, President Reagan opened GPS for civilian use to prevent navigation tragedies.
