Global Positioning System

GPS stands for "Global Positioning System". It is a system which will show your location on Earth with different degrees of accuracy. This is done by the GPS communicating with satellites orbiting Earth and calculating where you are using North, East, South and West measurements in relation to time. Altitude can also be measured.

• In 1978 the first GPS satellite was launched into orbit.
• In 1985, 10 more satellites were added.
• In 1994 all 24 satellites were in orbit.
• In 1996 GPS became FREE to use for civilians.

GPS usage is FREE. Once you buy a GPS system, there are no subscription fees, activation, or registration. It works as long as it has power and can receive a signal. The whole world benefits from the use of GPS systems although it costs US$750 million a year for the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing to manage it. The money to support and run this program comes from American tax payer money.

For more information on GPS technology go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gps/