1978; Global Positioning System

In 1800s, most things were done using manpower, not machines. To plow a field it used to require a team of horses and a plow. To make butter it required a hand churn. Life was simple and people depended on themselves. In 1920's automobile was a very important technological machine. Instead of a team of horses and a carriage, one could move about more efficiently in an automobile. Through following years many advances in technology occurred: electric machines, televisions, radios, etc. In 1980's personal computer emerged.

In 1990 s world went digital with cellular phones, and digital television dishes. All of these advances in technology depend on space age technology. When each of these machines were first introduced only a few people purchased them and deemed them important. However, in a short period of time millions of people now dependent on these devices; they are almost necessary in world of today. Each advance in technology causes people to be more dependent on new machines and less dependent on themselves. By year 2000, a lot of big companies in society will depend on Global Positioning System (GPS). This new system will become a necessity in tomorrow s high-tech society.

In 1978, United States Department of Defense put first GPS satellites into orbit. The Global Positioning System is a network of satellites and ground receivers. Now in 1998, 24 high-tech satellites form a constellation around earth. GPS uses mathematical calculations with this network of satellites to determine any point on earth. To triangulate a position on surface of earth GPS needs at least three signals from three different satellites (CALCM 16). These satellites beam information that is necessary to calculate position to a GPS surface receiver. Thus, each satellite continuously beams their locations and time to surface receivers.

A GPS data signal can be received by any device dialed into its frequency (Thompson 87). GPS works quickly because it send signal to receivers at speed of light. The U.S Military now uses GPS for newest version of Tomahawk Cruise Missile. Now, these missiles can be targeted much faster and they are more accurate. GPS is very accurate for U.S. Military (within 25 feet); but because of selective availability, which is an error deliberately made by U.S. Military, this accuracy is not available to anyone but U.S. Military. This gives U.S. Military s GPS receivers edge on battlefield (Thompson 87). This means an enemy of United States will not be accurate in finding positions as will U.S. Military. GPS was designed for military use, but has acquired many other uses as well. The United States Department of Defense originally designed GPS as a way to track movements of troops in 1973. GPS is a marvelous system for many more uses than purpose for which it was designed, says Richard Aronals, Federal Aviation Administration Director of GPS communications, Navigation and Surveillance.

Now, because satellites have been available for civilian use, GPS has many more uses than excepted (Kaplan 127). Civilian use means ...