Navigation Satellites

Satellite‐based navigation systems have grown from a relatively humble beginning as a support technology to that of a critical player used in a vast array of economic, scientific, civilian and military applications. The chapter gives a brief outline on the development of satellite‐based navigation systems and a descriptive view of the fundamentals underlying the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system of the USA and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) of Russia. The chapter also discusses other navigation systems namely, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), Galileo (of Europe), Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) and Compass Satellite Navigation System (of China). Hybrid positioning systems make use of a combination of various positioning technologies including those offered by satellite based global navigation systems. The chapter ends with a discussion on the future trends in satellite based navigation systems.