Navigation Dictionary Entry
Global Positioning System (GPS)
"A satellite-based radio navigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force."
Global Positioning System (GPS)
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S.-owned utility that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. It consists of three segments: the space segment (satellites), the control segment (ground stations), and the user segment (receivers).
Maritime Usage
In the maritime industry, GPS is critical for:
- Position Fixing: Determining the ship's latitude and longitude.
- Route Planning: Input for ECDIS and other navigation systems.
- Speed Measurement: Calculating Speed Over Ground (SOG).
- Search and Rescue: Locating vessels in distress (GMDSS).
Accuracy and Augmentation
While standard GPS is accurate, maritime operations often require higher precision, achieved through:
- DGPS (Differential GPS): Uses ground-based reference stations to correct errors.
- SBAS (Satellite-Based Augmentation Systems): Like WAAS or EGNOS for better integrity.