{"id":4529,"date":"2023-11-06T03:32:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T03:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/?p=4529"},"modified":"2023-11-06T03:32:47","modified_gmt":"2023-11-06T03:32:47","slug":"difference-between-gnss-and-gps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/skynetwave.com\/difference-between-gnss-and-gps\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference Between GNSS and GPS: A Definitive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The following guide will investigate the difference between GNSS and <\/strong>GPS<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>At the start of 2023, at least 7,702 active satellites were orbiting the Earth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With SpaceX constantly growing the volume of its Starlink satellite constellation, we expect this figure to increase drastically over the next five years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, not all satellites orbiting the Earth are reserved for internet connectivity and television broadcasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common use cases for satellites is global positioning and navigation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We use Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) for these applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what\u2019s the difference between the two, and is one better than the other?
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is GPS?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GPS is a radio satellite navigation system operated and owned by the US government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We use it for navigation on air, sea and land. The US Department of Defense<\/a> (DoD) established the GPS project in 1973.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, despite launching its first model in 1978, GPS was not fully operational until 1993. Back then, the GPS satellite constellation consisted of 24 units. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, there are 38 satellites in the GPS medium Earth orbit (MEO)<\/a> constellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Albeit, only 32 of these satellites are fully operational. While the satellite constellation is a major part of the GPS, it isn\u2019t the only part. The main parts of the GPS include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n