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registry / constellations / GPS

GPS / navigation constellation

sourcing11 facts
United States of Americaoperational

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite navigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is freely accessible to civil, commercial, and scientific users through the Standard Positioning Service, alongside an encrypted service for authorized military users. The constellation maintains a baseline of at least 24 operational satellites in medium Earth orbit at approximately 20,200 km altitude, arranged in six orbital planes inclined roughly 55 degrees.

(source, as of 2026-07-13)

generations

GPS IIIIntroduces new civilian signals L2C, L5, and L1C for dual-frequency ionospheric correction, a more powerful and jam-resistant military M-code, laser retroreflector arrays, and directional spot-beam M-code antennas; all 10 GPS III satellites have been launched. (source, as of 2026-07-13)
GPS IIIFThe 14 GPS IIIF satellites under contract will deliver positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities for military and civilian users, per Lockheed Martin. (source, as of 2026-07-13)

faq

Who operates GPS?

GPS is operated by United States Space Force. (source, as of 2026-07-13)

When did GPS first launch?

GPS first launched on 1978-02-22. (source, as of 2026-07-13)