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LORAN was used in World War II
LO(ng) RA(nge) N(avigation) ground based radio navigation system using low frequency radio transmitters in multiple deployment to determine the location and speed of the receiver -
Sputnik is launched into space
The launching of Sputnik created motivation for the United States to create a GPS satelitte -
First navigation satellite TRANSIT IB launched
Used by the U.S. Navy to acurately locate ballistic missle submarines and ships. Inspiration for a GPS satellite came from the Cold War and the launching of Sputnik into space in 1957 by the Russian -
First experimental Block-I GPS satellite launched
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GPS becomes available to civilians
A Korean civilian airliner was shot down by Soviet fighters after accidently flying into restricted Soviet air space. To avoid more similar situations, President Ronald Reagan declassifies NAVSTAR (GPS). -
First modern Block-II satellite launched
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Gulf War: First conflict where GPS was widely used
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Al Gore creates 2 new civilian signals
This creates better accuracy and reliability. Keeps civilian use and military use separate. Authorized in 2000, became known as GPS III -
Successful tests of assisted GPS for mobile phones
QUALCOMM announced successful tests of assisted GPS for mobile phones -
First Modernized GPS Satelitte launched (IIR-M)
Transmits second civilian signal (L2C) for enhanced performance -
U.S. Air Force begins to develop Next Generation Operational Control System
This would improve accuracy and availability of GPS navigation signals, and serve as a critical part of GPS modernization. -
First IIF GPS launched into orbit
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Expected to Launch Next-Generation Block IIIA Satellites and System
