GPS Satellite Achieves 20 Years In-Orbit

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The Global Positioning System recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. The US Air Force program has come a long way and is looking forward to many more years of technology and development.

On December 10, the United States Air Force celebrated the twentieth year of GPS systems in orbit around the earth, marking two decades of offering critical mapping data for government, commercial and personal use.

The Global Positioning System owes its success to Space Vehicle Number (SVN) 23, launched by Boeing (then the Rockwell Corporation), on November 26, 1990. The satellite was operational for navigation and timing two years later. Though it was expected to last just 7.5 years, with some repairs, it is now slated to live well into its 21st.

Originally, the satellite, Boeing’s GPS Block IIA-10, appeared to be a failure. In just its first year, the satellite’s ability to keep its solar arrays directed toward the sun appeared to be damaged and required the Air Force’s 2nd Space Operational Squadron to manually point the arrays toward the sun for fourteen years. The machinery appeared to fix itself three years later. To date, the satellite maintains one of the best atomic clocks of the GPS fleet.

Global Positioning Systems remain under the purview of the US Air Force, and work with companies like Boeing to maintain the program, which have become critical to American infrastructure for government, private businesses and the general public. There are now 31 satellites in the GPS constellation of varying models.

In the two decades since its original launch, the Global Positioning System has been used for both military and civilian uses, and the GPS system continues to improve. Boeing launched the first of its twelve IIF satellites in August of 2010, and it is the most advanced Global Positioning System in history.

As Global Positioning Systems become more advanced, programs in space, home control and civilian uses will become nearly perfectly synchronized. With these technological improvements, satellites can utilize GPS to become the standard of timing, positioning and navigation.

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Choosing the Right Type of GPS

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In order to make the right choice from all of the various GPS systems available in today’s market, it is necessary to have a practical understanding of what they offer, and what the user can  expect from the device.

There are four major components that need to be looked at.

1.  GPS receiver (or antenna).   GPS receivers use signals from satellites which orbit the Earth at known positions. Each satellite has its own identification code and sends a signal which the GPS receiver can use to calculate the distance from the device to that satellite.

2.  The portion of the system which uses the received information to estimate where the device is located on an internal map.

3.  The various capabilities for route planning and recording, which vary from unit to unit.

4.  Finally, the display portion (which can vary considerably from limited location information to full color three dimensional maps of the immediate surroundings and advised route).
Since all GPS systems are based on the same premise, it is a good idea to at least be aware of the underlying technology so that you can make an informed decision when choosing which system is best suited for you.

Much like regular triangulation, by using 3 to 4+ signals, the device finds the point in space at which the spheres representing the distance from each satellite intersect.  This allows the device software to estimate its own position by finding that point.
Using this location information, the software can then pinpoint the devices location on a map, then use the information for a number of operations, from simply displaying the location, to mapping a proposed route.

The three standard classes of GPS system are road, hiking and maritime.  Each class is further subdivided into other types which offer different features depending on the users intended use and the environment within which they will be operating.
It is important to remember is that this technology does not allow for the transmission of actual mapping data via the satellites. It is purely concerned with identifying the location of the device.

Once you have identified your exact needs and expectations regarding your device, you are ready to assess your options and make a selection.

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Don’t Take GPS Mount Too Lightly

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Anyone out there who is a fanatic about snowmobiles and GPS devices, listen up – there is a heavy duty GPS mount made just for you!  In addition other types of GPS systems, it accommodates the Garmin Nuvi beautifully!  RAM appears to have solved some of the most troublesome problems encountered by snowmobilers using, say a bicycle mount on their snowmobiles – and other such clever alterations.

In general, these sorts of makeshift GPS mount applications don’t work because some of the extreme conditions common to snowmobiles are totally foreign to bicycles.  As a result, our GPS device functions below optimal levels.  We don’t often consider that possibility when we’re suited up and ready to roll.
However, it is best to remember that GPS mount tend to be specific to the device for which they were designed.  You’ll find very little, if any, crossover in this arena due to the number of factors involved. 

It doesn’t matter if you want to mount the GPS PND (personal navigation device) on your hip, your bicycle, motorcycle, snowmobile, Cessna Skyhawk or your 40 foot catamaran, there is a specific mount for the job.  Getting the right GPS mount will save you hours of frustration while adding to the overall enjoyment of your craft and/or vehicle – recreational and otherwise.  Trust me, I’ve been there – duct tape and all.

Human nature is such that we don’t seem to mind spending significant sums on the latest GPS technology (and that’s a good thing), yet when it comes to the accessories developed to enhance our use of same, we back up, and become the “penny wise, pound foolish shopper”.  Just because the accessories are customarily sold separately, doesn’t mean they are at all  optional.  When manufacturers use this a la carte system, it keeps the overall cost of the main item down and allows us to customize the package to suit our individual personal style.

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Car Accessories: Happy on the way

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With the development of high technology, more car accessories have been designed and manufactured for car owners. Whenever you need to drive for business trip or another purposes, car accessories like car GPS, parking sensor or car DVD player will play an important role to make the trips easier and happier.

1. Car GPS

Today Various kinds of car acceossories are sold for years and the car GPS is one of most representative products. There are two major dimensions in the market: 3.5′ and 4.3′. Customers could select the right one according to their needs. It almost contains every function you want. You may simply download the IGo map into the memory card and start to use it. The professional Gps Navigation System will calculate and choose a safe and fast route for you. With the guide of the GPS, the safety and convenience are more guaranteed than before.

 2. Parking Sensor

Nowadays the roads get busier with more vehicles and pedestrians. Hence driving and parking become more risky in that way you may cause injury and damage to other road users. The parking system is a must-have for all the drivers. The Reverse Parking Sensor can map out the full length of your bumpers with 100% accuracy. Furthermore, the 6.0-inch TFT LCD along with the CMOS camera provides you with crisp images that help avoid all potential collisions. Parking sensors with larger LCD monitor are offered too.

7 Inch Parking Sensor

3. Car DVD Player

As a portable DVD player, car DVD can work as an all-round performer with GPS, MP3/MP4, CD player, Bluetooth hands-free microphone and speaker. If your firends or family are going for a self-driving tour, you can get them such a full-function car gift to add the trip a lot more fun .

7 Inch 2 DIN Touchscreen LCD Car DVD Player

As time goes by, more related car accessories will swarm into the market. To cater for car owners’ needs,Buy more Car accessories and happy on the way.

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