U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS)

Updated Fact Sheet  August 29, 2006

The Global Positioning System (GPS), managed and operated by the U.S. Government, is used for a wide array of economic, scientific, and military applications. GPS consists of a constellation of at least 24 satellites and associated ground support facilities. The satellites emit signals that can be converted into precise positioning, navigation, and timing information anywhere in the world.

Available Free to Publics Worldwide

The civil GPS signals are available in the United States and abroad at no charge, free of direct user fees. The United States also makes available without restriction the technical specifications for the civil GPS signals—enabling businesses, scientific institutions, and government entities anywhere in the world to develop products, services, and research tools on an equal basis. These policies have helped spur rapid growth in the global market for GPS goods and services. The United States is committed to providing reliable, uninterrupted service to civil users of GPS around the world.

Dual-Use System

GPS is a dual-use system, designed to support both civil and military users. The United States and its allies have contingency plans for denying access to satellite navigation signals to adversaries within specific localized areas of conflict. To date GPS service has never been interrupted in this way.

Looking Ahead: GPS III

GPS currently provides positioning data with accuracy within 10 meters or less. Advanced techniques and augmentations allow users to obtain positioning accuracy in the millimeter range. New civil signals will be introduced beginning later this year and early next year. When fully operational, these added signals will increase the robustness of the civil service and improve basic accuracy to within 3-5 meters. Additional upgrades being planned for the next generation of satellites, known as GPS III, are designed to ensure that GPS remains a state-of-the-art system for the civil user community. More information on GPS can be found at the following websites: www.igeb.gov, www.navcen.uscg.gov, gps.losangeles.af.mil, and gps.faa.gov.

GPS and Europe’s Galileo System

The European Union (EU) plans to build its own global navigation satellite system called Galileo, currently projected to become operational in the 2008-2010 timeframe. Galileo is slated to be a civil system that will be operated by a commercial Galileo Concessionaire. In June 2004, the United States and the EU reached an agreement covering their satellite navigation services. The historic agreement protects Allied security interests, while paving the way for an eventual doubling of satellites that will broadcast a common civil signal worldwide, thereby promoting better and more comprehensive service for all users. The agreement ensures that Galileo's signals will not harm the navigation warfare capabilities of the United States and NATO military forces, ensures that both the United States and the EU can address individual and mutual security concerns, and calls for non-discrimination and open markets in terms of trade in civil satellite navigation-related goods and services. The additional availability, precision, and robustness that will be provided by dual GPS-Galileo receivers lays the foundation for a new generation of satellite-based applications and services, promoting research, development, and investment that will benefit business, science, governments, and recreational users alike.