What is Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

GNSS, or Global Navigation Satellite System, is a group of satellites that orbit the Earth. This navigation system provides positioning, location, and timing information. The satellites send signals to receivers on the ground.

The receiver uses these signals to calculate the exact location or timing. There are many types of GNSS satellite systems, such as GPS, used in the United States, and GLONASS, used in Russia.

In this article, we will discuss GNSS's history, working, and uses in detail. Let’s have a look!

History of GNSS

The first satellite system, GPS or Global Positioning System, was launched by the United States in 1978. This satellite system was initially launched only for military purposes, but later, it also started being used for civilian or commercial purposes.

With that, other countries also started working on developing their global navigation satellite system. For instance, China started developing its satellite system, BeiDou, in the early 2000s. Similarly, the European Union also launched Galileo in the 2000s.

Today, many satellite systems orbit the Earth to provide accurate global coverage. These satellite systems help with mapping and navigation and track flights in real-time. For example, if you are traveling through EasyJet Airlines, you can check your flight status from the EasyJet status page. The GNSS system is behind this technology to provide real-time flight updates.

How Does Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Work?

The global navigation satellite system has three elements. The first element is the space segment, which consists of satellites that orbit around the Earth. These satellites are called constellations. Each satellite orbits around 20,000 km above us. These satellites send signals to help navigate the time and location. This technology is also used in the aviation industry to provide accurate flight tracking information, allowing passengers to check flight status using the flight status page.

The second element of the GNSS is the network of ground stations on the Earth. These stations receive the signals from the satellites, analyze them, and send them back to the satellites.

The third component of the user segment includes devices, such as mobile phones, that use satellite signals for navigation. These devices receive and process the signals to determine the exact location and timing.

Uses of GNSS

The global navigation satellite system is used for many purposes, but its basic use is navigation. It helps us find the exact location and timing. Car and airplane navigation systems are a typical examples.

Moreover, this system is also used for surveying and construction to measure the land and make precise maps. GNSS is also used in agriculture and aviation systems. It also has wide applications in emergency services for finding quick routes.