GPS (Global Positioning System)

Using Radio Waves to determine the poisitions of ships

Apr 5, 1912

1912: Reginald Fessenden experiments off the coast of Massachusetts with radio waves to determine the positions of ships.

Bearing from airfields

Feb 26, 1930

Radio beacons were used to provide bearings from airfields

WWII Radio Navigation System

Mar 4, 1945

WWII radio navigation systems were developed, the best known being LORAN or Long Range Aid to Navigation.

First Sputnik

Mar 4, 1957

Soviet Union launched the first Sputnik. A team of U.S. scientists realized that if they knew their exact location on the globe, they could pinpoint where the satellite was along its orbit by measuring Doppler distortion.

Worldwide Navigation

Mar 4, 1960

The Omega system provided worldwide electronic navigation coverage for the first time.

NAVSAT Was Developed

Mar 4, 1965

U.S. Navy's NAVigation SATellite System (NAVSAT) was developed. First operational satellite positioning system using a six satellite constellation for worldwide coverage.

Clocks in Space

Mar 4, 1967

Timation satellite proved the ability to place accurate clocks in space.

Airforce

Mar 4, 1973

The Air Force would operate the new system, which it called the Navstar Global Positioning System.

Block-I GPS

Mar 4, 1978

First Block-I GPS satellite launched.

Reagan announced the GPS system would be made available for Civilian

Mar 4, 1983

President Reagan announced that the GPS system would be made available for civilian aviation uses once it was completed.

Accuracy and reliability

Mar 4, 1998

Plans to upgrade GPS with two new civilian signals for enhanced user accuracy and reliability,

Block IIR-M is launched

Mar 4, 2006

The first Block IIR-M is launched and the oldest satellite still in operation dates from Feb.1989.