The Global Positioning System (GPS) is made up of satellites, stations, and recipients.


GPS It is a system of 30+ ground-based satellites. We know where you are, as it constantly sends signals.

The GPS receiver on your phone listens to these signals. Once the receiver calculates the distance from four or more GPS satellites, they can determine where they are.

Satellites serve as stars in constellations - we know where they are at any given time.
The ground stations use radar to make sure they are where we think we are.

The receiver will always hear the signal of these satellites, just like you would find in your phone or in your parents' car. The receiver calculates how far away you can be for some of them.

Once the recipient calculates the distance from four or more satellites, they know exactly where they are.