satellite navigation systems
Orbital positioning technology
Satellite navigation systems are networks of orbiting satellites that transmit signals allowing receivers on Earth to determine their precise location.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is the most widely used, though other nations operate their own: Russia's GLONASS, Europe's Galileo, China's BeiDou.
The technology enables everything from smartphone mapping to precision agriculture to military targeting.
Often shortened to satnav, especially in British English: The satnav says turn left in 500 meters.
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
- atomic clocksDevices measuring time via particle vibrations
- positioningArranging in specific locations
- routingPath selection process
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
pinpoint accuracy · cold start · geolocation · coordinates · signal · lost signal · signal processors · user interfaces · tracking · orbital mechanics · carrier waves · remote sensing · ground control · turn-by-turn · driving directions · uplink · waypoints · map updates
satellite navigation systemsprinted maps
Physical geographic documents
road atlas · celestial navigation · dead reckoning · magnetic compass · pilotage
satellite navigation systemsintuition
Instinctive immediate understanding
sense of direction · mental map · wayfinding · environmental awareness · getting lost
satellite, satellites, navigation, navigate, navigates, navigated, navigating, navigator, navigators