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Thirty years ago Bradford Parkinson had just returned from fighting in Vietnam and was busily leading a Pentagon team as it developed the Global Positioning System, or GPS as it is known today. Little did the team know how widespread it would become and how dependent the world would become on the new technology. Many industries rely on or utilize GPS tracking to some degree for shipments, security, to manage personnel, locate clients, as well as myriad other uses from time stamping financial transactions to recovering stolen jewels. Parkinson calls it a “ubiquitous utility that everybody takes for granted now.”

Three decades is a long time, though, and the satellites are now due for an $8 million upgrade which will greatly enhance GPS capabilities. The Global Positioning System is made up of 24 satellites that are 12,000 miles above the earth; the upgrade over the next ten years will replace them one at a time. Whereas the current satellite configuration is able to determine the receiver’s location with a margin of error of 20 feet or more, the new satellites will have the incredible accuracy of about 30 inches. The number of signals will be tripled for commercial use and to prevent outages.

GPS: A History

The concept of GPS tracking was born with the launching of Sputnik 1 in 1957 as scientists at Johns Hopkins University attempted to track the satellite. By monitoring its radio waves, Sputnik’s location could be determined. Conversely, it was realized that radio waves from the satellite could be utilized to determine a particular position on earth. An early attempt with satellites in the 1960s was not very accurate – only to within 100 feet on a non-moving object – in that case, a submarine. Even though many thought the project a waste of time, the Pentagon moved ahead to develop a better system and 1978 saw the launch of the first of 21 satellites and GPS was partially in operation by 1990.

The Pentagon still operates the Global Positioning System which is shared freely with the world, however, other countries are spending huge amounts to develop their own systems in the event that the United States would ever restrict or prohibit its use. GPS tracking, as well as its many other uses, is here to stay. No doubt many new applications will be developed for it and this multi-million dollar upgrade will greatly enhance its value to the world.

Written by Greg Bartlett