GPS Celebrates 25 Years In Space

This month marks the 25th anniversary of when the first GPS satellite was launched into space at Cape Canaveral. The exact date of that first launch was February 14, 1989, marking the first steps in building a system with capabilities that were incomprehensible at the time. The Global Positioning System is made up of a minimum of 24 satellites orbiting Earth’s atmosphere. Each satellite travels one of six orbital paths 20,000 kilometers (12.4 miles) above us. This way, at any point on the earth’s surface, enough satellites are within range in order to triangulate a location.

Image courtesy of El pak from Wikimedia

Interestingly enough, the very beginnings of the idea for GPS technology began back during the Cold War era space race. The Russians were the first to successfully launch a satellite into orbit in 1957. The satellite was called Sputnik and emitted a regular beeping signal, which could be detected with radio receivers on the ground as it passed overhead. While much of the U.S. were in a paranoid panic about Russian spy technology, two scientists from the Applied Physics Laboratory discovered a way to measure the exact location of the satellite based on the transmission.

Much like how a fire truck siren sounds louder as it’s approaching and quieter once it’s passed, Sputnik’s transmission would get compressed and shorten as it approached and the wavelengths lengthened as it passed. This phenomenon is also known as the Doppler effect. The scientists were able to figure out Sputnik’s orbit using one of the first U.S. commercial computers. Not long after, the team was asked if they could determine a person’s location on Earth, based on where the satellite was in its orbit. Working with DARPA (the Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency), also responsible for developing the Internet, they began launching their own satellites in 1964 as part of the U.S.’s first satellite navigation system, called TRANSIT, which was primarily used by the Navy missile submarines.

Essentially, most of the first satellite navigation systems were developed in order to improve the accuracy of missile launches. During the Cold War, the U.S. military was invested in being able to launch nuclear missiles from anywhere they could. Because the TRANSIT program was working well, in the 1960s, the U.S. Air Force launched their own satellite navigation system, called MOSAIC. The Army soon followed with their SECOR program, which used satellites to find the location of a unit on Earth. Around 1973, the military realized they could combine all three satellite navigation systems to create something much more sophisticated.

They came up with a program called Navstar-GPS (Navigation System Using Timing and Ranging Program – Global Positioning System), which was eventually shortened to GPS. The military launched 11 more navigation satellites into space between 1978 and 1985, although only ten of them were functional. In 1983 a Korean Air Lines flight was shot down after it drifted into forbidden U.S.S.R. territory. President Reagan responded with a promise to make GPS technology available for passenger aircrafts in order to prevent future tragedies. The first GPS satellite available for commercial use was launched in 1989. The launch was originally planned for 1986, but the devastating Challenger launch failure delayed the schedule.

The modern GPS constellation was completed in 1994, and there are currently 32 orbiting satellites in our atmosphere in order to guarantee accuracy in the readings. The Russian government have also developed a similar navigation system, called GLONASS, which is currently in orbit. China is also developing a satellite navigation system, called Beidou. Galileo is another navigation system being developed by the European Union. It seems that Earth’s atmosphere is getting a bit crowded with satellites.

When GPS was first made available to civilians, there was a lot of paranoia that the technology would be used against the U.S.. In order to prevent this, the version of GPS that was made available to civilians was only accurate within 100 meters (109.4 yards). President Clinton changed this policy in 2000 so that civilian GPS devices are now accurate within 5 to 10 meters (5.5 to 10.9 yards). Since then, as the technology has become more versatile and affordable, we’ve seen GPS become part of every day life in the United States.

The technology was first majorly adopted by the public when GPS navigation systems started popping up on the market with turn-by-turn directions. With the Internet, people had gotten used to plugging in their starting point and destination and receiving detailed directions. These navigation devices took that to a new level by installing the map right into the vehicle. Then smartphone GPS capabilities put this technology in the hands of the masses.

GPS technology has been used for so much over the last 25 years. We use it to play games, exercise, explore, protect ourselves and our loved ones, and even save lives. What is your favorite function of GPS technology? Let us know in the comments!

GPS Celebrates 25 Years In Space

GPS Tracking Study Reveals Surprise About Eastern Golden Eagles

Most of the time, when we publish stories involving GPS tracking and wildlife, the stories tend to have a depressing angle. Most of the time this technology is used to help protect endangered species. These stories often involve dwindling wildlife populations, usually partly or wholly caused by human interference. We’ve written about destroyed habitats and majestic beasts being picked off by poachers for profit. Today’s wildlife tracking tale is much more upbeat. WIth the help of GPS technology and remote baited cameras, researchers have discovered that golden eagles are thriving in the eastern United States.

CC Image courtesy of jack_spellingbacon on Flickr

Prior to the study, it was believed that eastern golden eagles spent the winter north of the border, in Canada. The elusive birds were rarely seen in the U.S. during the winter, and any that were spotted, were assumed to be migrating north to Canada with the rest of the eastern golden eagle population. However, eight years of GPS tracking and three years of 250 motion-activated baited camera sites revealed that these eagles spend the winter months all across the eastern region of the U.S., as far west as Michigan and Indiana, stretching all the way down to Alabama. The cameras revealed that the majority of birds spend their winter in the western counties of VIrginia and in the eastern highlands of West Virginia.

“That’s still the area where the densest populations of eastern golden eagles are found in winter,” explained Todd Katzner, a WVU research assistant professor who coordinated the study with Appalachian Eagles and the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group. “We started to see that the winter distribution is a lot bigger than we had thought… It’s amazing! They’re on the bait from Maine to Alabama and most of the states in between. They’re in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. They’re everywhere!”

“There are some birding records in the east where golden eagle sightings have been recorded, but this is the first systematic look at their distribution and population,” said Katzner. “They’re showing up in greater numbers, and over a much larger range than expected.” Golden eagles tend to be elusive birds of prey, making them difficult to monitor with the the human eye, despite their massive wingspan, which can get up to seven feet. With tracking and camera technology, researchers have grasped a much better understanding of the eastern golden eagle population.

Another factor that makes eastern golden eagles, in particular, difficult to study, is that their numbers are thought to be much smaller than those in the western regions of the U.S. and Canada. It is estimated that there are around ten times as many golden eagles in the west than there are in the east. With the help of motion-censored cameras, baited with road-killed deer, researchers are getting a much better picture of the density of golden eagles in the east. “Golden eagles were seen at a majority of our sites,” Kieran O’Malley, a study participant and biologist with the state Division of National Resources. “I had one in my back yard,” Katzner said. “We photographed a golden eagle there this year.”

CC Image courtesy of qmnonic on Flickr

As if there weren’t enough obstacles to studying eastern golden eagles, these birds generally prefer solitude. They do also stay with the same mate for several years, and sometimes even a lifetime, but when out hunting or when not nesting, golden eagles are on their own. “Unlike bald eagles, goldens don’t get together in big groups,” O’Malley added. “They prefer to live in areas that are more remote than the places bald eagles live.”

“We’re looking at wintering populations and population density,” O’Malley explained. “We have really good numbers of golden eagles wintering in West Virginia. The highest density anywhere is in the highlands of West Virginia and western Virginia, since they prefer forested uplands away from a lot of human activity.” One factor attributed to the abundant golden eagle population in the mountains of West Virginia and Virginia, is the white-tail deer in the area. Over the last 40 years, the white-tail deer population has been swelling, providing plenty of winter-killed and road-killed meals for the eagles.

The research team has compared some of the DNA samples from the eastern golden eagles with the western population. It seems that there are not many differences between the two other than region. “Other than the fact that one group lives in the east and the other lives in the west, there doesn’t seem to be much difference between them,” Katnzer said. It is currently estimated that the eastern population is around 2,000 to 5,000 eagles. “We’ll be doing some computer modeling, but right now, I’m starting to think the population is on the high side of those estimates,” said Katnzer.

The cameras have captured a wide variety of wildlife in the area, spawning a secondary study of spotted skunks. “We started seeing spotted skunks, which have become very uncommon in the state, turning up in the photographs,” O’Malley added. “We’ve been able to add to their range… They’re a lot more widespread than we thought, but still not very abundant.” Other wildlife seen in the region include foxes, raccoons, blue jays, fishers, coyotes, titmice, ravens, crows, wood rats, owls and bobcats.

GPS Tracking Study Reveals Surprise About Eastern Golden Eagles

Safety in the Wild

Hiking is a favorite pastime for millions of people. There’s something special about getting out and communing with nature either alone or with a group of friends. But for serious hikers who tackle dangerous areas or who plan to stay overnight in the woods, some extra safety precautions, such as a personal locator beacon equipped with GPS tracking, can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.

How Personal Locator Beacons Work

A personal locator beacon sends out a powerful signal to rescue workers via an international distress radio frequency. In the United States, the frequency is monitored both by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). These organizations use a network of satellites to identify your location once you have activated the distress beacon. If your personal locator beacon is equipped with GPS capabilities, it can send your location directly to rescuers, enabling them to find you faster.

Types of Personal Locator Beacons

There are several types of personal locator beacons available for people who anticipate spending time in remote areas:

• GPS-Enabled PLB—A GPS-enabled PLB will send a distress signal over the radio distress frequency, but it will also transmit your GPS coordinates to rescue workers. Using the GPS data, search and rescue teams can narrow your location down to within 100 meters.


• Non GPS-Enabled PLB—A non-GPS-enabled PLB sends the same distress signal, but rescuers must use a tracking device from their end to pinpoint the location of the transmission. With this technology, rescuers can narrow your location down to within 2 miles.


• Satellite Messengers—Satellite messengers are GPS-enabled and allow you to send brief messages to family and friends, even if you’re not in trouble. You can let them know you’re okay and even send GPS coordinates to keep them up to date on your trip. The drawback is that satellite messengers require a monthly subscription fee and may not be as powerful as a PLB.

Experts in the field recommend purchasing a GPS-enabled PLB since a non-GPS-enabled device will require much longer for rescuers to determine your location. If you are hurt or lost in the woods on a cold night, that extra hour or two could be essential.

Registering Your Personal Locator Beacon

When you purchase a PLB, you will be required to register it with the NOAA. At that time, you will be given a unique identifying number. When activated, your PLB will transmit that number to satellites, giving rescue teams access to your name, address, phone number, emergency contacts, and medical conditions you may have.

Although registering your PLB is a legal requirement, some owners fail to take that step. When a non-registered PLB gets activated, even by accident, rescuers have a much more difficult time following up on a distress call. In the worst case scenario, a non-registered PLB that has been activated by accident will pull responders away from an actual emergency to investigate the accidental alert. By contrast, when the PLB is registered, responders can call the emergency contact to find out whether the alert was accidental or not.

GPS Tracking On the Trail

In addition to personal locator beacons, there are several other GPS tracking devices that have been specifically developed to make activities like hiking, biking, and jogging safer. These devices include:

GPS Running Watch	GPS Running Watches not only serve as a tracking device, but also keep track of heart rate, distance, and rate of speed.
Personal Safety Devices	These tracking devices enable you to send an alert to a friend or family member if you need help.
GPS Bike Monitors	Map your trail, view live tracking data, monitor the weather, and utilize social sharing options all from one device.
Hand-held GPS devices	Used for hiking, these devices not only serve as navigational tools, but also act as GPS tracking devices. They can pinpoint your location for friends and family if you get lost and they can also be used for fun activities like geocaching.

The key point to remember is that while getting out into nature by yourself can be wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable, it can also be dangerous. All it takes is a fall that results in a broken or sprained ankle, a wrong turn that causes you to lose your bearings, or an attack by a wild animal, and you could be stranded with no way to get a message to anyone, especially if you’re out of your cell phone’s coverage area. A GPS tracking device gives you and your family peace of mind while you’re out walking, jogging, biking, or hiking. For daytime excursions, a watch or handheld GPS tracking device can be a good choice, but for overnight trips or areas where you may be in danger, a personal locator beacon gives an added measure of safety in the event that things go wrong.

Safety in the Wild

Plowing the Way with GPS

The holiday cheer “Let it snow” has become true.The first weeks of 2014 saw heavy snowstorms that dropped several feet of snow in the Midwest. Even the South fell victim to the polar winter. The storm situations left messes that took days or weeks to clean. Of course, the biggest challenge is clearing snow and ice. How does all this snow get off the roads? As anyone who lives near snowy cities can tell you, the answer is the mighty plow trucks.

The heavy work of snow removal takes time. Although a few feet of snow may have fallen overnight, it does not all disappear in a day. The task is so great for plows that the system needs help. Thanks to several GPS monitors, the plow drivers are beginning to get some help.

On the Way

The morning after a snowstorm, the first thought on people’s minds is how they are going to get to work. While some people can skip work or work from home, for people in important positions, it is critical to find a safe route. Where is the plow, and how long will it take to clear the road to your house?

The guessing game has become easier now, with the help of GPS. Several cities, including Boston and New York, have started to install GPS on snow plows in order to give citizens a way to follow the plow as it clears the roads. As the plow goes along the route, the GPS broadcasts the location to city computers, which then show its location using color-coded maps. The maps show the status of the roads, including those that are clear, those that are being plowed, and those that are still snow-covered. A list of cleared roads could allow a driver to determine whether to take the interstate, use an alternate route, or take public transportation.

Plow tracking with GPS has proven popular throughout the country. In New York thousands of people follow the plow routes online. Other cities also provide downloadable apps that allow commuters to view road conditions in the area on their mobile device.

Along the Way

Snow plow operators and their supervisors depend upon GPS along the entire route. As the systems start up they monitor crucial aspects of the plow’s journey:

• Location. Showing where a vehicle is serves as the basic function for all GPS units. Real-time tracking of snow plows is important. Winter weather can change in an instant, and the plow operators need to know what is coming their way. The location of a plow is also important to the overall clearing process. Plows are sent out in shifts, and each plow needs to be at a certain location at a certain time so that the workload is spread out and staggered. GPS allows plow drivers to meet up at exactly the right position. Instead of relying upon external reporting or traveling to the base, supervisors track plows in real time.

Another advantage of GPS is the ability to monitor the speed of a plow as it proceeds down the road. Knowing the speed allows controllers to estimate the approximate time a plow could arrive at a destination. The controllers can also notify plow drivers of accidents or trees or debris blocking the roads.

• Breakdowns. Plows perform hard work that can be hard on their mechanics. Some GPS units can indicate basic maintenance problems such as under-inflated tires and low oil levels. But mechanical failures still stop plows, just like any other vehicle. If a plow breaks down supervisors can know exactly where to find and fix the plow.

• Plow Functions. Some snowplow GPS installations can also show the actual movements of a plow  blade as it moves up and down. The recorded rate of movement can indicate the weight and depth of the snow or ice. This data can be used to estimate the amount of time it could take to plow an area. If the snow height or weight is too great, reinforcement drivers could be sent for assistance.

Planning the Way 

Many states and counties employ snowplow GPS in order to conserve both money and energy by creating more efficient plowing routes that clear snow faster and minimize traffic delays.

GPS tracking of plows allows county and city supervisors to see broad traffic patterns. If a plow has to stay idled at routes with traffic lights or downed trees or wires, the public works department can design new routes. If several accidents occur in the same spot, then route planners could prioritize the area that should be cleared first. Plow GPS data could also show the most frequent commuter routes to the downtown area. By observing the flow of traffic along the side roads, controllers can set up detours and redirect plows to the most needed areas. Cities can also save money by recalculating the necessary amount of salt or sand needed to clear each route.

Clearing the Way 

GPS for snowplows benefits commuters and plow drivers and their supervisors. Real-time tracking shows everyone what the plow has accomplished and where it is heading. With the information citizens can prepare their trips, and controllers can monitor the plowing and cleaning progress. The data collected by the GPS can also help supervisors plan new routes that make travel even faster.

So next times the plow comes scraping down the street, you can thank GPS for clearing the way.

Plowing the Way with GPS

Not Everyone Understands GPS

Stating that GPS is a highly complex system that boggles the minds of most people is an understatement. Multiple satellites hurtling around the earth, signals constantly shooting back and forth into space, and calculation adjustments because of Einstein’s theory of relativity are enough to make us throw up our hands and give up. We are happy to simply push a few buttons, look at the map that magically appears, and follow a colorful arrow to our destination. We’ll leave the details to the scientists and trust them to keep the whole system working.

It appears, however, that some people have a hard time fully understanding even the surface operation of GPS devices. In Colorado, a man on parole inexplicably ignored the presence of his GPS anklet and went on a crime spree, leaving a trail of condemning tracking data behind him.

Missing the Point of His Anklet

It’s unclear whether the parolee even knew what his court-appointed GPS anklet was intended to do. After he was convicted of trying to steal—of all things—a GPS navigator, a judge ordered him to wear the anklet so that police could keep tabs on him. Given his subsequent actions, it is hard to believe that the man understood that the anklet was constantly providing data. Perhaps he thought police simply “checked in” every once in a while, and as long as he got back home by a certain time no one would know where he had gone?

In any case, police began receiving calls one evening as the man broke into an unbelievable fifteen houses. He may as well have left a confession note at each location, because his anklet’s GPS data clearly placed him at the crime scene in every case. It didn’t take long to track him down, place him under arrest, and begin the process of what will certainly be a quick criminal trial.

The Danger of Ignoring GPS

It is quickly becoming more dangerous for criminals, dishonest employees, unfaithful spouses, and other less-than-up-front people to disregard the power of GPS. In some cases, people technically are aware they are being tracked, but it slips their minds and they revert to old habits. The odd case of the burglar in Colorado may have been an extreme case of this forgetfulness. But in many cases, GPS is becoming so prevalent that people should assume that what they are doing is going to show up on someone’s computer monitor with a flashing red dot. Here are a few practices that are becoming very common:

• Banks slipping tiny GPS trackers into stacks of cash for thieves


• Parents installing trackers in the trunks of rebellious teens’ cars


• Suspicious wives tracking husbands using the family car


• Cargo transporters spreading trackers randomly throughout valuable freight loads


• Hiding trackers on ATVs, bicycles, and other expensive equipment that may be stored outdoors

Police would be thrilled to see GPS tracking provide benefits far beyond its actual ability to detect criminals’ actions. The deterrent factor will be extremely valuable if potential thieves know that there is a good chance they are about to steal a hidden tracker. This effect is already visible on some college campuses, where authorities have publicized a “bait bike” program. Simply by stating that they have fitted a few bikes with GPS trackers, officials have been able to practically end bike theft on their campuses. The threat of being caught red-handed with a stolen bike is enough to make most thieves abandon their plans.

Adjusting to a World with GPS

Just like the rest of us, criminals will make adjustments to their daily life to include GPS. Right now, the tide appears to be in favor of preventing crime, but that could change. As with any technology, there are pros and cons to be considered:

Pros	Cons
Small GPS devices are becoming less expensive and easier to plant on potentially stolen items	Thieves could identify the location of targets by hacking GPS tracking data
The simple possibility of GPS tracking deters thieves	If able to falsify GPS data, criminals could lead police astray during a chase
GPS anklets free up police resources when monitoring parolees	Reliance on GPS creates a target for terrorists who would like to jam signals
Victims of crimes can be located quickly and rescued using cell phone GPS data	Stalkers and sexual predators can spy on victims by secretly placing trackers on vehicles

Not all criminals will treat GPS with the laughable disregard of the house burglar in Colorado. While that case ended quickly thanks to GPS, it may not be long before we see criminals use the technology to their own advantage instead. Experts will certainly be kept busy coming up with new ways to prevent crime in a world increasingly dependent on GPS tracking.

Not Everyone Understands GPS

Leaving a Trail of Bread Crumbs

Bank robbers are unknowingly making things too easy for police these days. At least it is easy for police when crafty bank tellers slip a little something extra into the bag of loot. The end of December saw another great example of a bank teller thinking quickly and placing a GPS tracking device into money that was being stolen. The men suspected of robbing the bank did not even make it to their destination before they were tracked down by police, identified by the bank teller, and arrested. The two suspects, Jonathan Watson and Earl Lee Alexander, were being held on charges of first degree robbery and one was also charged with possession of methamphetamine thanks to the quick thinking teller.

The Case in Lacey

This recent example occurred in the town of Lacey, Washington. The bank teller was approached by a man who implied that he had a gun. About $4,300 was taken, but the fast thinking teller was able to place a GPS tracking device into the bag before the robber left with the money. Police were able to track down the suspect in a Dodge pickup truck, where two men, both in their fifties, were detained by police. The teller was escorted to the scene of the arrest to positively identify one suspect from the crime, and the other suspect offered information about the crime, stating that he did not want to go through with it because he thought they would get caught. It would appear to be a very open and shut case for the prosecution, thanks to the GPS tracking device and the skillful use of it by the teller. Here are some similar recent examples of theft crimes solved using GPS data:

Date	Location	GPS Tracker Location	Outcome
October 2013	Detroit	Tracker placed in bottle of oxycontin	Four suspects arrested after pharmacy was robbed
November, 2014	Delaware	Tracker located in cell phone	A student was robbed, but police later found suspect thanks to GPS tracking unit in phone
January 2014	Philadelphia	Tracker placed in prescription bottles	Two suspects arrested within 30 minutes of break-in
January, 2014	Phoenix	Tracker located on a drill	Suspects were tracked after shoplifting a drill and escaping with the use of a gun

Not Limited to Finding Money

The recent example in Lacey created a situation where money was recovered, but this GPS tracking technology is not just being used to find stolen money. This is similar technology to what is being used in cell phones today, that can also help victims retrieve their belongings quickly. It has also been used in prescription drug caps, as many pharmacies are being robbed and prescriptions are being stolen from mailboxes and homes. It is helpful that these devices are not very large and can be easily concealed in places as small as pill bottles. More and more stores are also using this kind of technology. For a small outlay of cost, a business can be certain that they will not permanently lose certain things of value due to theft. It also allows for employees to act with less fear of bodily harm, since they don’t have to be the “hero” and can just hand over whatever is being requested.

Pushers, Pullers, and Loggers

The kind of GPS tracking device used to “bug” the money bag was most likely either a GPS pusher or a GPS puller tracking system, and not likely to be a logger. A GPS logging system is what you would think of if you ever take a picture and have your image store your geolocation by accessing the GPS positioning of your camera. This kind of technology would only be helpful if the thief begins to use the device to take pictures or otherwise directly access the GPS data. A GPS tracking device that “pushes” information can do so at a variety of settings, which might be anything from every 5-10 minutes to whenever there is a change of course in the item being tracked. This is most likely what was used in the Lacey case. Another kind of GPS tracking is referred to as a “puller,” which pulls location information at regular intervals and can also have information requested from it. This kind of GPS tracking device is not in common use today.

Just Like Following Bread Crumbs

Whatever kind of GPS tracking device is used, it becomes very easy for authorities to find and retrieve whatever was stolen. Often, these devices are small and unnoticeable unless you are looking for them specifically. There is hardly a simpler way to do police work when the devices can help anybody find anything. Once you have the device back in hand, you have the suspects and have retrieved what was stolen. It really is as simple as following a trail of bread crumbs!

Leaving a Trail of Bread Crumbs

GPS Tracking Promotes Military Efficiency

Last month, South Korea announced their plans for two United States companies to build GPS-guided air-to-ground bombs. Boeing will be producing the wings for the bombs and Kaman Aerospace Corporation will be making the explosives and detonators. South Korea hopes that the smart bombs will enable precision attacks both during the day and at night against North Korean targets. Numerous other countries have incorporated GPS tracking into their military operations, with plans for even more applications in the future.

CC Image courtesy of Camera on autopilot on Flickr

GPS Tracking and the U.S. Military

Most people will encounter some sort of GPS tracking-enabled device every day, whether it’s a cell phone, computer, car, or GPS watch. Many don’t realize, however, that the GPS tracking was not originally intended for commercial use. Instead, it was designed by the military to aid various operations with its precise location and navigation capabilities. Some of the ways GPS tracking is currently used by the U.S. military include:

• Ground troops—Ground soldiers carry GPS tracking devices to help commanders monitor their movements in a combat situation.


• Vehicle and aircraft tracking—Most of the vehicles used in combat are equipped with tracking devices in order to keep better tabs on their whereabouts in a war zone.


• Naval warships—Ships also carry GPS tracking devices so commanders and generals can keep track of the various ships in the water during combat and transit.


• Military intelligence—GPS tracking allows military intelligence to make better tactical decisions based on real time information.


• Precision bombing—GPS-guided bombs can target specific locations even at night, making air strikes more efficient and better-controlled.

How Other Countries Have Used GPS Tracking

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations all use GPS tracking devices in their military operations. They use them to track vehicles, ships, and aircraft as well as to deliver critical intelligence information. In addition, the Israeli Army has considered embedding the units into their soldiers’ uniforms. The units would not only provide real-time location information, but would also help protect soldiers from friendly fire.

Making GPS Technology Even Better

Both military and commercial receivers rely on the signals transmitted by 24 GPS satellites every day. However, the current satellite signal strength is sometimes too weak and can be overpowered by interference. In order to develop a more reliable system, the Department of Defense plans to launch 40 more satellites with stronger signal capabilities beginning in 2014. The satellites will be launched in three phases:

Phase One	8 GPS IIIA satellites will be launched beginning in 2014. Their signals will be three times stronger than those of the current GPS satellites.
Phase Two	16 GPS IIIB satellites with signals five times stronger than the current satellites will be launched.
Phase Three	8 GPS IIIC satellites will be launched. Their signals will be the same strength as the IIIB satellites; however, they will be equipped with a spotbeam that can focus the signals over a 600-mile radius, increasing their strength to 100 times the strength of the current satellites. The DoD will most likely need to purchase 8 additional satellites after the initial 8 in order to use the full capabilities of IIIC.

For military operations, this means that signals will be able to withstand jamming attempts much more easily. It also means that receivers will be able to determine a position accurately within three feet following the launch of GPS IIIA and to within 6 inches following the implementation of GPS IIIC. Currently, satellite signals can produce accurate results within 10 feet.

Will Civilians Benefit as Well?

The first question many civilians may be asking is “Will my cell phone GPS tracking device be stronger and more accurate now?” It’s a legitimate question, since civilian applications use the same satellites that the military uses. The short answer is both yes and no.

The Department of Defense anticipates that both military and civilian receivers will benefit from the increased accuracy of the new GPS satellites. Civilians will not benefit from the increased signal strength or interference capabilities, but most civilians won’t be facing interference problems in their day-to-day functioning. GPS tracking for civilians has been a superb benefit of one of the military’s most innovative applications.

What the New Technology Means for South Korea

Applications like the GPS-guided bombs South Korea plans to build will benefit greatly from the new satellite system. In combat situations, stronger signals within the spotbeam of the IIIC satellites mean that a 10-watt jamming device would need to be within a two-mile vicinity rather than the current 55-mile vicinity. In addition, the more precise location determinations will help designate targets more accurately, reducing the possibility of error. Clearly, the new satellites will create greater accuracy and capability for military GPS tracking applications.

Although the full implementation of GPS III won’t be completed until 2030, the Department of Defense expects the benefits to be well worth the wait. It will be interesting to see what new innovations will be possible with the increased location accuracy and stronger signals made possible with GPS III.

GPS Tracking Promotes Military Efficiency