With the invention of GPS navigation, many people will never have to learn how to fold a map so that it fits back into the vehicle s glove compartment. It may also stifle many arguments between husbands and wives about the need to stop and ask for directions. For some reason there is no shame in asking the car s on-board GPS navigation system how to get somewhere, but there it s embarrassing for many people to stop and ask a perfect stranger for directions.

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p>With today s GPS navigation units installed in many vehicles, all a driver has to do is input their destination and the system can calculate where they are and the best route to take to reach their designated point. Many can also give turn-by-turn directions, provided the correct map has been uploaded to the system and the user pays for the navigational service. Virtually every airline and shipping company uses GPS navigation to help their ships find their way around the world, and increasingly private individuals are using the same satellite information to find the nearest pizza shop.

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p>With annual spending just under $1 billion the United States government keeps upwards of 30 satellites about 11 nautical miles in orbit to provide this information free to the country s citizens. Operated by the U.S. Air Force, the system is designated for use by the military and transportation services, but private use of GPS navigation is also encouraged.

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p>Technology Banned From International Shipping

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p>With the potential uses of GPS navigation to be used as a weapon, the export of GPS technology is strictly controlled. There are very few exceptions to these units being allowed to be shipped to foreign countries, and then only if certain safeguards are in place. For example, they cannot be used above an altitude of 60,000 feet or traveling more than 1,000 knots. These government restrictions help prevent GPS navigation fomr being used in another country s guidance systems.

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p>The idea for a GPS navigation system was realized in 1957 while the government was tracking the Soviet satellite Sputnik. While using radio waves to bounce off the orbiting satellite they found they could pinpoint its location in space from their known reference point on the globe. By having satellites in space transmit the low power microwave signals to a receiver on earth, the receiver s location could be located by the information obtained by the satellite based on the signal being sent back to the satellite.