Satellite navigation

Satellite Navigation

Satellite navigation, or satnav, helps us find places using special satellites in the sky. These satellites float high above the Earth and send signals down to devices like phones and GPS units. By using these signals, we can know exactly where we are — even when we don’t have the internet!

There are four big satellite systems that work all around the world:

• The United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS)
• China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS)
• The European Union’s Galileo

These systems use satellites that travel in special paths called orbits. The satellites are about 20,000 kilometers (12,000 miles) above us and move around Earth every twelve hours. This means they can help anyone, anywhere, find their way.

Satellite navigation is very useful. It helps us get to new places, track things, and even keep very accurate time. Best of all, it works even when we don’t have phone service or the internet!

Devices using satellite navigation can find their spot very precisely — sometimes within just a few centimeters. This makes them perfect for everything from driving to science projects.