Global Positioning System (GPS)
type: Concept

GPS-35
in scheme: platforms
definition: The Global Position System (GPS), counterpart to the Russian Global Navigation System (GLONASS), is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) developed, worldwide, satellite-based radionavigation system that will be the DoD's primary radionavigation system well into the next century. The constellation consists of 24 operational satellites. The U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSC) formally declared the GPS satellite constellation as having met the requirement for Full Operational Capability (FOC) as of April 27, 1995. Requirements include 24 operational satellites functioning in their assigned orbits and successful testing completed for operational military functionality. GPS consists of three segments, the SPACE, CONTROL and USER Segment: 1. The SPACE segment consists of 24 operational satellites in six orbital planes, (four satellites in each plane). The satellites operate in circular 20,200 km orbits at an inclination angle of 55 degrees and with a 12-hour period. The position is therefore the same at the same sidereal time each day, i.e. the satellites appear four minutes earlier each day. 2. The CONTROL segment consists of five Monitor Stations, three Ground Antennas, and a Master Control Station (MCS) located at Falcon AFB in Colorado. The monitor stations passively track all satellites in view, accumulating ranging data. This information is processed at the MCS to determine satellite orbits and to update each satellite's navigation message. Updated information is transmitted to each satellite via the Ground Antennas. 3. The USER segment consists of antennas and receiver-processors that provide positioning, velocity and precise timing to the user. GPS provides two levels of service, Standard Positioning Service and the Precise Positioning Service. The Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is a positioning and timing service which will be available to all GPS users on a continuous, worldwide basis with no direct charge. The Precise Positioning Service (PPS) is a h…
type: Concept