Artist’s rendering of WGS-11+

Art Gallery

‘Masters of Space’ keep GPS constellation grounded and on time

GPS is made up of three parts: satellites, ground stations, and receivers. The satellites act like the stars in constellations — we know where they are supposed to be at any given time within a small range of error. The satellites broadcast their location to the ground stations, and the ground stations are able to detect and correct that error in future uploads to the satellites. When the satellite’s location is more accurately broadcasted to the receivers, the receivers can calculate a more accurate position. A receiver, like you might find in your smartphone or navigation system in a car, is constantly listening for a signal from these satellites. The receiver figures out how far away they are from the satellites in view. Once the receiver calculates its distance from four or more satellites, it knows exactly where you are within a few yards of your actual location. (Courtesy graphic)

PHOTO BY:
VIRIN: AFG-160301-004.jpg
FULL SIZE: 0.08 MB
Additional Details

No camera details available.

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

Read More

This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.