Geostationary Earth Orbit Positioning System (GEO positioning)
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has increased in importance in recent years. In particular, it is used by aviation navigation. A constellation of over two hundred global positioning system satellites, as well as a series of ground-based GPS devices is responsible for navigational aids in aircraft. While this technology has benefitted consumers, the U.S. military also makes use of it for more mundane purposes, such as locating troops in combat zones. Today, GPS is being used in many other fields, however, as well.
With global warming being one of the major environmental issues of our day, the military is also looking to improve its predictive capabilities. As such, the U.S. Navy is set to launch the first GPS satellites into orbit around Earth. These GPS satellites will allow the Navy to better locate its ships in remote areas where land based sonar devices cannot go. Once in place, the GPS system will be able to relay precise position data to the ship’s computer, which can then use the data to determine the ship’s position.
When it comes to space exploration, there are many applications for a GPS satellite. One of these is to track the moon, allowing scientists to monitor its movement around the earth. Another application comes from disaster relief, as well. By monitoring the sun, wind, rain and other natural processes going on around the world, a satellite could provide much-needed information during natural disasters.
In addition to tracking the natural world around us, the U.S. Navy operates a satellite that goes by the name of GDOTS, or Global Positioning System – Topography, Airway, Space, Air Navigation and Timing System. This advanced GPS device goes by two names, but in actuality, the primary operation name is Global Positioning System. It is commonly known as GPS Tx, or transiting global positioning system. The U.S. Navy’s GPS Tx is called the GO-TO device, while the broader context refers to it as the 75 degrees west longitude geostationary weather satellite.
The GO-TO is part of a constellation of secondary satellites, known as the first-generation earth-orbit satellites. It is one of the two operational geostationary weather satellites. Other members of this fleet are the GO-rica and GO-space satellites. As part of its function as an operational weather forecast system, the GPS Tx is primarily used to track precipitation patterns over the Earth’s surface using rainfall gauge-based sensors. It also records the location of rainfall events, which is essential for severe weather forecasting.
Like the US Navy’s other operational environmental satellites, the GO-TO has a completely different purpose. Instead of tracking the precipitation on the ground, it monitors the changes in the Earth’s orbit about the sun. This data is used by weather prediction and climate change models to generate new and better models which in turn can be employed on earth and in space to better forecast future climate and weather conditions. These new predictions are used by emergency responders and meteorologists to plan rescue missions and protect the populace from potential hazards.