GPS is a system of radio transmitter satellites which orbit the planet in large numbers; their goal is to be able to precisely pinpoint the location of an individual or any type of vessel equipped with a transmitter receiver within a very small radius. GPS navigation has had a great impact on society in general as well as its commercial and military applications. Global positioning is available free of charge to anyone with a GPS receiver anywhere on the planet. A GPS unit is capable of giving the user longitude/latitude information as well as altitude, speed of travel, distance traveled, distance remaining and time in any type of weather condition imaginable. The global positioning system consists of three sections, 1. satellites which are in orbit around the planet, 2. there are numerous control/monitoring centers here on earth, and 3. GPS receivers which are used by their owners . Satellites send signals from orbit, which are received by GPS receivers on the ground, in the air or on the water, the GPS receiver then converts this information into location longitude, latitude and altitude as well as time. Consumers can purchase this technology for varying prices, which greatly depend on the application in which the unit is to be used as well as the many types of functions available on the market. For example, one can purchase a marine GPS unit for their boat that has mapping capability as well as sonar (depth/fish finder), the cost of such a unit can vary considerably depending on the manufacturer as well as the region and whether or not it is a color. unit or a monochrome unit, color being the most expensive. Other factors that play into the cost of units are their application alone; aviation...... middle of paper ...... much easier to locate. GPS has had a huge effect on the way we move from place to place, whether the passenger knows it or not. There are too many effects that GPS has had for me to be brief, but GPS has made its mark, however, GPS is not a replacement for good old navigation skills, it's just a convenience. Works cited1. National Park Service, http://www.nps.gov/gis/gps/history.html2. Global Positioning System, serving the world, http://www.gps.gov/3. Brain, Marshall and Tom Harris. “How GPS Receivers Work.” September 25, 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. June 1, 2010.4. Christopher Michael Hormann AWF2 (NAC): US Navy GPS trained user, 1995-2010, HS-1, VP-30, VQ-1, VAW-117, VP-64, VR-52.5. GPS History - How it all started, http://www.maps-gps-info.com/gps-history.html