Are you familiar with the term GPS? Do you know what it is and the different applications of GPS? Are you aware of how GPS has changed the lives of many people worldwide?

The Global Positioning System is a system maintained by the USA government for military purposes and was made available for citizens to use by President Ronald Reagan in the late 1970’s. It consists of a group of thirty satellites in space transmitting data twenty four hours a day. Any person with a receiver can receive and use this information for free. A GPS receiver must receive information from at least three of these satellites to give an accurate co-ordinate reading.

Other countries in the world are in the process of launching their own system of satellites for their own military use. Russia is expected to have a Russian GPS system working in 2010.

All GPS satellites use an atomic clock for precise time of day. All USA cellular phone companies use time received from GPS satellites for logging time of calls and length of calls. When you use the time of day given by your cell phone it is accurate because it is transmitted from a GPS satellite using an atomic clock.

Airlines use GPS for keeping airline traffic from having collisions as well as individual planes use GPS for accurate flight paths and tale-off and landings.

Surveyors use GPS information for accurate positioning of land lines and for marking government sites like water lines etc. By using GPS to mark locations, they can later be found quickly and cheaply.

Travelers use GPS devices to follow mapped routes without going out of their way or getting lost. Hunters, fisherman, hikers, boaters and many other outdoor adventurers use GPS for enhancing their outdoor activities.

Sea going vessels use GPS for more efficient fuel usage and to determine speed as well as avoid hazards in the water.

Courts use GPS anklets and bracelets to keep up with prisoners and people on bail. Law enforcement use GPS to mark areas of cities more prone to violence so they can more effectively keep citizens safe.

I have listed some of the more common ways GPS is used in the modern world today. Many more uses exist and GPS technology continues to evolve. Each new day brings new uses and needs for GPS.

Author: LaZinnia Manley All Rights Reserved 06-22-2009