GPS Navigation Systems: Supported by a US Military Arm
The GPS in GPS Navigation Systems stand for Global Positioning System, a collective set of satellites set up on medium Earth orbit.
The whole point of the Global Positioning System is to send signals into GPS Receivers, giving them accurate readouts with regards their current position on Earth. Simply put, GPS Navigation Systems are navigation maps, which utilize satellites in their accurate efforts in giving users the right turns or roads to take when going to a predefined destination.
Officially titled as NAVSTAR GPS, the 24 satellites actively operating around the Earth, giving GPS receivers the data they require are funded by the military arm of the United States, The United States Department of Defense. The military arm spends about 750 million US dollars, annually maintaining and operating the said satellites which are integral to the successful operation of GPS Navigation Systems.
GPS is now the buzzword when it comes to maps, even boasting features no hardcopy map could actually provide, considering the "real time" navigation GPS Navigation Systems provide consumers with.
The system is often used as a map, but are also utilized for particular endeavours, the most popular of which involves military related excursions. From military tactics, to military coordination, to military synchronization operations, GPS Navigation Systems simply shine, as they are fast and accurate. They are also used as time-point references for seismologists studying something like an earthquake. Telecommunication companies are also known to heed the benefits of having GPS Navigation Systems, again with time-point related concerns.
The United States' Air Force 50th Space Wing division actually handles the actual maintenance of the 24 satellites of the Global Positioning System, the first of which was launched in 1974, with the 24th satellite was launched in 1994.
The system is labeled as a common good, and is free, with limitations particular only as a navigation system for citizens, and not for military related excursions, minus that of the United States'.
A number of GPS Navigation Systems provide consumers with the receivers they need to tap into the GPS system. Brand names like Tom Tom, Route 66, Magellan, Garmin, Navman and Mio are know to produce quality GPS Navigation systems, giving users essential information regarding their current respective travel paths.
Certain car manufactures already integrate GPS navigation systems into their vehicles, with Lexus being among the most popular.
All in all, utilizing the Global Positioning System in one's travel would greatly enhance one's travel time.
