In 1973 the separate GPS development work of the US Navy and the US Air Force was merged into a common system and project. The US Navy had worked on the system for many years, with the “Transit” project going into operation in 1964. This was designed to determine the position of ships. At the same time, the US Air Force was developing their own system under a different name so in order to reduce costs the two projects became collaborative effort.
The merged development efforts of the Navy and Air Force was given then new name of “Navstar GPS “ which was short for “Satellite Navigation Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System”. Read on for an overview of the history of GPS and the satellite network.
GPS Systems Becomes Commercially Available in 1995
The system went into full operational mode on July 17th, 1995. The delay in the launch was in part due to the tragic Challenger accident in December 1981 when the boosters of the space shuttle failed resulting in a huge explosion witnessed on TV by millions. Because of that no more satellites were launched into space for a number of years and it would take some time still before civilian applications could take shape, as only the military could use the signals before 1995.
There are a number of satellites in the network that are currently not in use. In fact, the Block I satellites which were initially launched are now just existing as space debris. The older satellites in the network had an average battery life of 7.17 years and an overall life span of no more than 11 years.
25 Satellites in Orbit, of Which 24 are Active
The real beginning of the current GPS system which is used by commercial companies was carried out with the launch of the first Block II satellites which went into orbit on the 14th of February 1989. Today there are a total of 25 satellites in orbit and the latest offer more security against electromagnetic interference and sabotage and will last longer. Of the 25 satellites, only 24 of them actually work in full operational mode. The remaining one is orbiting as a backup solution and can be called upon should any of the others fail or need to be repaired.
The GPS satellite network is now used by various commercial companies to offer solutions that enhance everyday life. Examples include in-car navigation by companies such as Garmin and TomTom, handheld navigation devices for explorers, and GPS tracking solutions used by fleet management companies.
GPS News: For more news, reviews, and GPS matters please visit this GPS News website which is updated daily with the latest developments, products, and more.
The merged development efforts of the Navy and Air Force was given then new name of “Navstar GPS “ which was short for “Satellite Navigation Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System”. Read on for an overview of the history of GPS and the satellite network.
GPS Systems Becomes Commercially Available in 1995
The system went into full operational mode on July 17th, 1995. The delay in the launch was in part due to the tragic Challenger accident in December 1981 when the boosters of the space shuttle failed resulting in a huge explosion witnessed on TV by millions. Because of that no more satellites were launched into space for a number of years and it would take some time still before civilian applications could take shape, as only the military could use the signals before 1995.
There are a number of satellites in the network that are currently not in use. In fact, the Block I satellites which were initially launched are now just existing as space debris. The older satellites in the network had an average battery life of 7.17 years and an overall life span of no more than 11 years.
25 Satellites in Orbit, of Which 24 are Active
The real beginning of the current GPS system which is used by commercial companies was carried out with the launch of the first Block II satellites which went into orbit on the 14th of February 1989. Today there are a total of 25 satellites in orbit and the latest offer more security against electromagnetic interference and sabotage and will last longer. Of the 25 satellites, only 24 of them actually work in full operational mode. The remaining one is orbiting as a backup solution and can be called upon should any of the others fail or need to be repaired.
The GPS satellite network is now used by various commercial companies to offer solutions that enhance everyday life. Examples include in-car navigation by companies such as Garmin and TomTom, handheld navigation devices for explorers, and GPS tracking solutions used by fleet management companies.
GPS News: For more news, reviews, and GPS matters please visit this GPS News website which is updated daily with the latest developments, products, and more.
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