Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations

A GNSS constellation is a system of satellites that provides autonomous geospatial positioning that allows electronic devices with compatible receivers to determine their location (longitude, latitude and altitude).

GNSS (GPS)ConstellationsAvailable GNSS constellations

  1. GPSGPS — (NAVSTAR) Global Positioning System is the US owned constellation of satellites that became fully operational in 1995. GPS is the most widely used GNSS constellation and the term GPS has become synonymous with GNSS.

  2. GalileoGalileo — EU owned satellite constellation that became fully operational in 2019.

  3. BeiDouBeiDou — Chinese Regional Navigation Satellite System, currently in its third generation, became fully operational in 2020.

  4. GLONASSGLONASS — (GLObalnaya NAavigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema" or “Global Navigation Satellite System”) is the Russian owned constellation of satellites that has offered global coverage since 2010.