The History of Navigation Systems

Directions: Use the information found on the following Internet site to answer theses questions concerning the History of Navigation Systems. http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gps/before.html

1. How did early sailors find their latitude?

1. A sextant measures height in degrees above the ____________________, which is used with the exact ________________ to calculate position.

1. When would a sextant not be useful? (think sun, stars, planets…)

1. What navigation system was developed during World War II? How did it work?

1. What was the first navigation system to use a satellite? How was it limited?

The GPS Revolution

Directions: Use the information found on the following Internet site to answer these questions concerning the development of GPS systems. http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gps/revolution.html

1. What does GPS stand for?

1. What three components make up a GPS system?

1. What type of satellites is used by GPS systems? How many are currently in operation?

1. What was the first portable GPS receiver? About how big was it?

1. What nickname was given to the first lightweight GPS receiver?

1. What event led to the US government’s decision to allow GPS units to be used by civilians?