GPS satellite
Space-based positioning beacon
A GPS satellite is one of the spacecraft orbiting Earth that transmits signals enabling Global Positioning System receivers to determine precise locations.
The constellation of roughly 30 satellites ensures that multiple signals reach any point on Earth's surface, allowing devices to calculate position through triangulation: My phone connected to four GPS satellites to pinpoint the trailhead.
- navigationDetermining position and course
- orbitCurved celestial path
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- lost signalCommunication link failed
line of sight · constellation · receiver · coordinates · latitude · longitude · atomic clock · triangulation · cold start · waypoint · antenna · geolocation · altitude · velocity · timing · spacecraft · trajectory · ephemeris
- spacecraftspacecraft, starships, spaceship, Voyager 1, rocket ships
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, liftoff, orbit
- satellitesmicrosatellites, nanosatellites, SES, Terra, Aqua
- navigation aidscompass, maps, road signs, signs, GPS
- space structuresspace station, space telescope, space habitat, space dock, lunar base
- transmitterstransmitter, radio transmitter, FM transmitter, wireless transmitter, broadcast antenna
GPS satellitesextant
Maritime angular measurement device
dead reckoning · celestial navigation · magnetic compass · astrolabe · pilotage
satellite, satellites, global, positioning, system, globalization, globalize, globally, position