Electronic Tracking Systems

Many top GPS manufacturers are integrating more innovative features to their existing models, making it harder for the consumer to decide what is suitable for their everyday life.

Understanding how modern electronic tracking systems work may help you make a better decision on purchasing the ever evolving GPS technology.

There are 30 GPS satellites – called NAVSTAR – in place and the oldest was launched in 1989. These are only those in use today – while 22 have been launched since the program began in 1978 but are no longer working.

The satellite design has remained essentially unchanged over the years, just differences in their operations.

GPS Satellites
The 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about 12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits in less than 24 hours. These satellites are travelling at speeds of roughly 7,000 miles an hour. GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there’s no solar power. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path. Here are some other interesting facts about the GPS satellites (also called NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS):

The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994.
Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built and launched into orbit.
A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended.
Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less.
Types of Satellites

Engineers have developed many kinds of satellites, each designed to serve a specific purpose or mission.

For instance the telecommunications and broadcasting industries use communications satellites to carry radio, television, and telephone signals over long distances without the need for cables or microwave relays. Navigational satellites pinpoint the location of objects on Earth, while weather satellites help meteorologists forecast the weather (see Meteorology). The United States government uses surveillance satellites to monitor military activities (see Remote Sensing). Scientific satellites serve as space-based platforms for observation of Earth, the other planets, the Sun, comets, and galaxies, and are useful in a wide variety of other Electronic Tracking Systems applications.

Article Source: This infomation was provided by Vehicle Solutions

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