// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Navigation Satellite
A satellite that sends out signals allowing receivers on Earth to determine their precise location, speed, and time, like those used in GPS.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Navigation Satellite is a spacecraft that transmits precise timing and ranging signals from orbit, enabling terrestrial receivers to calculate their exact position, velocity, and time, forming the backbone of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou.
BACKGROUND
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based hyperbolic navigation system owned by the United States Space Force and operated by Mission Delta 31. It is one of the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that provide geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where signal quality permits. It does not require the user to transmit any data, and operates independently of any telephone or Internet reception, though these technologies can enhance the usefulness of the GPS positioning information. It provides critical positioning capabilities to military, civil, and commercial users around the world. Although the United States government created, controls, and maintains GPS, it is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- GNSS satellite
- GPS satellite
- positioning satellite
- PNT satellite
USAGE NOTE
Navigation satellites are indispensable for modern transportation, logistics, and timing synchronization.