When was the global positioning system created

Space Force develops, maintains, and operates the space and control segments. GPS satellites provide service to civilian and military users. The civilian service is freely available to all users on a continuous, worldwide basis. The military service is available to U.

GPS is operated and maintained by the U. Space Force. Website host: NOAA. Privacy policy. Then, one contractor would be down-selected and the process would continue. This approach provided innovative solutions through competition, as well as helped in defining a lower risk, more clearly defined development program for the fixed-price contracts approach that was being used for development and production.

As the system integrator, the JPO was also closely involved with technical development. To identify unforeseeable unique technical challenges, the JPO would fund studies to determine the optimal approaches to new issues. There were schedule risks associated with the first launch due to unforeseen Block II issues with respect to the space vehicle and control segments software development. Although it was a catastrophic event, the Challenger accident actually provided much needed schedule relief.

Using decision analysis methodology led the JPO to an alternative approach to develop the expendable launch vehicle for the Block II satellites. Good communication, facilitated by cooperative working relationships, was a significantly positive though intangible factor in the success of the GPS program, regardless of whether it was between the contractors and the government JPO or other agencies , or between contractors and sub-contractors.

A true team environment also played a significant role in reducing risk, especially considering the plethora of government agencies and contractors that were involved in the effort. The GPS case study takes the reader through the initial concept of GPS March all the way to the development, production, and operational capability of the system.

The current GPS program traces its heritage to the early s when Air Force Systems Command initiated satellite-based navigation systems analyses conducted by The Aerospace Corporation. The case study follows the execution of the GPS program from the inception of the idea to the full operational capability release on April 27th, The GPS case study highlights the need for systems thinking throughout.

GPS satellites, in one of six Earth orbits, circle the globe every twelve hours. These satellites emit continuous navigation signals on two different L-band frequencies. The system consists of two other major segments: a world-wide satellite control network and the GPS user equipment that can either be carried by a human user, or integrated into host platforms such as ships, vehicles, or aircraft.

The ability to conceive, develop, produce, field, and sustain the GPS demands the highest levels of systems thinking. The GPS case study is useful for global systems engineering learning and provides a comprehensive perspective on the systems engineering life cycle. The study is applicable for detailed instruction in the following areas:.

The GPS case study revealed that key Department of Defense personnel maintained a clear and consistent vision for this unprecedented, space-based navigation capability. The case study also revealed that good fortune was enjoyed by the JPO as somewhat independent, yet critical, space technologies matured in a timely manner. Although the GPS program required a large degree of integration, both within the system and external to the system, amongst a multitude of agencies and contractors, the necessary efforts were taken to achieve success.

Lastly, the reader of the GPS case study will gain an increased understanding of the effect that GPS has on the military and commercial industries in the context of the systems engineering support required to achieve success.

The GPS signals needed to be consistent, repeatable, and accurate to a degree that, when used by munitions guidance systems, would result in the successful delivery of multiple, separately-guided munitions to virtually the identical location anywhere at any time across the planet. Air Force as a part of their Block II program.

Department of Defense begins decreasing the accuracy of GPS readings for non-military use, stating fear of adversaries gaining military advantages as the reason behind the decision. This became known as Selective Availability. GPS today and tomorrow As the capabilities of technology continue to expand, one can only imagine what GPS technology will look like in the future. If you liked this post, let us know! Geotab Team. The Geotab Team write about company news. Disclaimer Geotab's blog posts are intended to provide information and encourage discussion on topics of interest to the telematics community at large.

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