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SpaceUnited States

Global Positioning System (GPS)

Navigation satellite constellationIn serviceFielded 1995Pending verification

Also known as: GPS III, NAVSTAR

SpaceUSA
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Photo: U.S. Space Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Flower · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeNavigation satellite constellation
Alternative designationsGPS III, NAVSTAR
Date of introduction1995
ProliferationOrigin country only
Dimensions and weight
Mass2,269 kg5,002 lbGPS III vehicles 1–10High[1]
Orbit
Orbit regimeMEOHigh[1]
Orbit altitude17,700 km10,998 miNearly circular orbits at about 11,000 milesHigh[1]
Orbital planes6Minimum of four satellites per planeHigh[1]
Design life7.5–15 yearsHigh[1]
Summary

U.S. Space Force navigation constellation in medium Earth orbit; GPS III is the current production block.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
United States
Sources
  1. Global Positioning System fact sheet, U.S. Space Force
    Published/updated 2020-10-01 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-03
Change log
  • 2026-10-03 Initial draft entry from cited open sources
  • 2026-10-03 Added identification art
  • 2026-10-04 Added photo (Public domain)