Systems

Global Positioning System

GPS was initially developed by the US military and is now recognised as a "dual-use" system for both military and civilian applications. It was first launched in 1978 and became available for civilian use in 1983. The GPS satellite constellation achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 1995, and is the only GNSS at present to have a full complement of satellites. The US is updating the GPS system with GPS III satellites designed to provide new signals and greater capabilities.

For more information on GPS see the US Government’s GPS page.

GLONASS

GLONASS is owned by the Russian Government and operated by the Russian Space Agency ROSCOSMOS. The first GLONASS satellite was launched in 1982, and the constellation was completed claiming Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 1995 but then fell into disrepair.

Russia has since committed to revitalising GLONASS with plans to have global coverage during 2011.

For official information on GLONASS see the Russian Space Agency Information page.

Galileo

Europe’s Galileo is planned to be a global system like GPS and GLONASS with a more open architecture whereby systems to improve service can be included inside the system as “regional elements”.

The business model for Galileo is also more open. Expected to be publicly funded through the construction phase, there is provision for Galileo to use a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the operational phase where the physical system (satellites, ground stations etc) will remain a public asset but an operating company will be responsible for the day-to-day operation.

For official information on Galileo see the European Space Agency Web link: http://www.esa.int/esaNA/galileo.html

Beidou

China is building its own GNSS called Beidou. Like GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, Beidou will have an Open Service and an Authorised service. Beidou is planned to complete Phase 2 of its development during 2012, when it will cover China and surrounding regions. At that time the Beidou constellation is proposed to consist of 5 satellites in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), another 5 satellites in Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (IGSO) and 4 satellites in Medium Earth Orbits (MEO). In 2012, China plans to begin Phase 3 of Beidou and transition from regional coverage to a truly global GNSS with the constellation reaching 5 GEOs, 3 IGSOs and 27 MEOs in the 2018 to 2020 timeframe.

Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)

India is developing the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). A constellation of three geostationary and four orbiting satellites, India expects the IRNSS to be completed in 2014.

The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System

Japan is developing a regional navigation satellite system called the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). The first stage is planned to include three satellites, broadcasting signals very similar to GPS, which will orbit in a figure eight pattern over Japan and the East Asian region south to Australia. The orbit is designed to ensure that the satellites will be at a high elevation angle over Japan, allowing extra positioning signals to be available in the urban canyons of Japanese cities. The first of the QZSS satellites (known as Michibiki) was successfully launched in September 2010.

Australia will be one of the few countries on earth with the ability to receive signals from all of these GNSS systems.

Last updated 12 September 2011