Geoscientific Research and the Global Positioning System: Recent Developments and Future Prospects

A Report of the University Navstar Consortium

Summer, 1994

1 Overview

The Global Positioning System (GPS), a now fully operational 26-satellite constellation, represents one of those rare technological developments which suddenly opens up whole new opportunities for scientific advance, with broad influence on commerce and society at large. It was put in place by the U.S. Department of Defense primarily to provide accurate geographic position location and navigation for a wide variety of military purposes, through distance ranging to the satellites. In designing the system, DoD adopted an enlightened dual-use policy, providing for civilian use of the system for positioning at a limited level of accuracy (about 100 meters), but one adequate for many applications.

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