Avamaailmaradaavigatsioonisüsteem

Avamaailmaradaavigatsioonisüsteem, commonly referred to as the Global Positioning System (GPS), is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

The system consists of three main segments: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment. The space segment comprises a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth. The control segment consists of a network of ground stations that monitor and manage the satellites. The user segment includes all GPS receivers, such as those found in smartphones, vehicles, and dedicated navigation devices.

GPS works by triangulating the position of a receiver based on the signals it receives from multiple satellites. Each satellite transmits precise timing information and its orbital position. By measuring the time it takes for signals from at least four satellites to reach the receiver, the receiver can calculate its three-dimensional position (latitude, longitude, and altitude) and its precise time.

GPS has a wide range of applications, including civilian, scientific, and military uses. Civilians use it for navigation, location-based services, and tracking. Scientists utilize it for precise measurements in fields like geophysics and meteorology. The military employs GPS for navigation, targeting, and intelligence gathering. Its widespread adoption has revolutionized navigation and many other aspects of modern life.