What Is Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)?

You've probably heard of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), but have you heard of GNGS? Do you know how GPS works, right? It's a system of orbiting satellites that work with a network of ground control stations and receivers to calculate your position on Earth. GNGS is a lot like GPS, except there are more satellites and ground control stations than just one. That means it's more accurate than GPS, so you can get better data on where and where you're going. GNGS isn't just for people—it works for things too! So if you're taking a trip across the country and want to know precisely how far away your destination is (or if you want to know when it'll arrive), GNGS has your back. The GNSSs are the only systems that can provide accurate, reliable, and continuous navigation and timing information—and they're not just for astronauts. You've probably used one of them. The handiest operational GNSSs are the USA NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (Short for GPS) and the Russian Federation's Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). However, different satellites are developing: the European Union's Galileo and China's Compass or BeiDou-2. Like maximum people, you possibly do not consider satellites a lot. You might wonder what they do, or maybe you've heard the term "geo-spatial positioning" thrown around but have no idea what it means. Here's the thing: satellites are everywhere and are more important than you realize. They provide the signals that allow your phone to find its location anywhere on Earth—and beyond! They help your car navigate, keep you up-to-date on weather alerts, and ensure that when you're flying on an airplane, you know exactly where you are (and when). What if there was a way for us to take advantage of this technology even more? Well, there is! A GNSS is a constellation of satellites that autonomously provides geo-spatial positioning to many devices—meaning they can figure out their location without human input or intervention. This allows electronic devices with the appropriate receivers (like phones) to determine their precise location on the surface of the Earth.