What is the difference between GPS and GNSS?

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, and is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. This term includes e.g. the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou and other regional systems (see below).

The term GPS is specific to the United States’ GNSS system, the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System. As of 2013, the United States NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian GLONASS are the only fully operational GNSS, and accordingly account for the bulk of UNAVCO’s available equipment and project support.

GLONASS is a Russian GNSS, and is included in many UNAVCO Development and Testing projects. GNSS systems currently in various stages of development and deployment include Galileo, the European Union’s positioning system; IRNSS, India’s next generation regional system;QZSS, the Japanese regional system, and China’s Beidou Global navigation satelite system.