Global Navigation Satellite System

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) is a satellite system that is used to pinpoint the geographic location of a user's receiver anywhere in the world. Each of the GNSS systems employs a constellation of orbiting satellites working in conjunction with a network of ground stations.

Two GNSS systems are currently in operation: the United States' Global Positioning System (GPS) and the Russian Federation's Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). A third, Europe's Galileo, is slated to reach full operational capacity in 2008. Each of the GNSS systems employs a constellation of orbiting satellites working in conjunction with a network of ground stations.