Global Positioning System (GPS)

"The Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Its fundamental technique involves measuring the ranges between the receiver and a few simultaneously observed satellites, and the positions of the satellites are forecasted and broadcasted along with the GPS signal to the user. Through several known positions (of the satellites) and the measured distances between the receiver and the satellites, the position of the receiver can be determined. The position change, which can also be determined, is then the velocity of the receiver. The most important applications of GPS are positioning and navigation." (Xu and Xu 2007)

Sources

Xu, Guochang, and Yan Xu. GPS. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2007.

Related Content

Article

Space technologies in the detection, monitoring and management of groundwater

Global groundwater supplies

Groundwater accounts for 30% of Earth’s freshwater resources (Shiklomanov 1993) (Figure 1) and is estimated to globally provide 36% of potable water, 42% of irrigation water, and 24% of industrial water – indicating its significant value (Global Environment Facility 2021). Groundwater affords a host of benefits, from providing better protection against drought and microbiological contamination than surface waters, to being generally low cost and accessible to many users.

Can space technologies help improve WASH provision in camps and informal settlements?

The Human Right to water and sanitation

What does your morning routine look like? For most readers I’d assume you use the toilet, wash your hands, and maybe take a shower.  However, do you ever stop to consider the water you use to shower, or the soap you use to wash your hands? Often, especially in developed countries, these things are taken for granted, rightly considering access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) as basic Human Rights (Figure 1).

Est ce que les Technologies Spatiales Peuvent Améliorer les Provisions WASH dans les Camps et Quartiers Informels

Le droit humain à l'eau et à l'assainissement 

À quoi ressemble votre routine matinale ? Pour la plupart des lecteurs, je suppose que vous utilisez les toilettes, vous vous lavez les mains et peut-être que vous prenez une douche. Cependant, vous arrive-t-il de vous arrêter pour réfléchir à l'eau que vous utilisez sous la douche ou au savon que vous utilisez pour vous laver les mains ?