Why are there more than one GPS satellite in orbit?
The first satellite locates you within a sphere, the addition of a second narrows that down to a circle, the third reduces it to two points, and the fourth applies the final correction to get your exact location. So, with more satellites in the sky, you get an improved geometry and more accurate measurements.
How many satellites are in orbit for the use of GPS?
The GPS satellite network consists of 32 satellites in total, with 24 being active at any one time. 24 satellites are required to ensure that at a position fix can be obtained by any user, at any point on earth, at any given time.
Why do GPS satellites need to be in geostationary orbits?
Communications satellites are often placed in a geostationary orbit so that Earth-based satellite antennas (located on Earth) do not have to rotate to track them but can be pointed permanently at the position in the sky where the satellites are located.
Why is GPS not geostationary?
why are GPS satellites put in LEO and not geostationary? They are actually put in MEO. It’s lower than geosynchronous but still much higher than LEO. Geostationary satellites, trivially, would only be able to provide service to a small range of longitudes.
What happens to old GPS satellites?
Two things can happen to old satellites: For the closer satellites, engineers will use its last bit of fuel to slow it down so it will fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere. Further satellites are instead sent even farther away from Earth. That way, it will fall out of orbit and burn up in the atmosphere.
Can a satellite stay in orbit forever?
If the satellite was moving through empty space it would stay in its orbit forever, there being no forces acting to speed it up or to slow it down. In reality low orbit Earth satellites are not travelling through empty space and so experience a resistive force or drag due to the thin atmosphere which they encounter.
Can Spy satellites see through buildings?
The spy satellite that can see INSIDE your apartment and take ‘crystal clear’ pictures even through clouds. A new satellite that is orbiting the Earth can create high resolution images of nearly any place on our planet using radar – and is powerful enough to penetrate the walls of buildings.