9 years ago
3
The Man Who Created GPS
Roger Easton was a key figure in the development of the Global Positioning System, GPS, a ubiquitous feature of modern life. What began as a way of tracking satellites like Sputnik became a way for satellites to track us here on the surface of Earth.
Continue Reading
http://www.theatlantic.com
Join the Discussion
Nice blurb, but the author is incorrect on this point
GPS satellites have highly accurate atomic clocks. They send out timestamps on a regular basis. GPS receivers listen for the clock signal. Due to limits of the speed of light (as well as gravity distortion), time signals between different satellites are skewed slightly from one another by the time they reach you. If you can receive enough data from enough satellites, the software in your GPS tracker can map out your position on the globe with superb accuracy.
Both the GPS tracker in your hands and the GPS satellites overhead are passive. One listens to the other, but no information is exchanged.
A nice bonus to this system was that it proved Einstein's theory of relativity as well. Pretty neat stuff. Very clever math, and one of my favorite topics to bore people at parties with.
Dude, that was well said. Going to read a bit more about the tech involved and how it works.
Read this little blurb that explained it really well, too:
I just enjoyed the heck out of the 'singing satellites' idea.