X

We detected that you're visiting our site from the UK. Would you like to visit the ChaCha UK website?

GPS


GPS

GPS stands for global positioning system and is now found in most cell phones and is also available in dedicated handheld units. The major manufacturers of GPS systems are Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan.

About GPS

GPS, or Global Positioning Systems, are navigation devices that provide location and time information at all times, from Earth. As long as there is an unobstructed line of sight to a GPS satellite, GPS information is free to anyone with at GPS receiver. More and more devices, including cell phones, are starting to include GPS.

GPS was created by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973 and was based on 24 satellites. The goal was to enhance and simplify navigation aids. Originally the U.S. Military restricted use of GPS and allowed it to be used only by the military. After Korean Airlines flight 007 was shot down in 1983 when it strayed into Russian airspace, killing 269 people, President Ronald Reagan made GPS freely available for use by civilians. An effort began to enlarge the system of satellites , the first of which was launched in 1989. The 24th satellite was launched in 1994.

As mobile devices become more prevalent, more and more people expect GPS to be a standard enhancement to their devices. Many automobile companies compete to provide a superior GPS product, even hiring sexy actresses to provide the voices for the talking component of GPS devices that give directions.

Related Images

See all images »

Recent GPS Questions

PREV 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... NEXT
7,210 Answers
Advertisement