Researched
Satellite navigation (GPS)
GPS reached full operational capability in 1995; atomic clocks on satellites let receivers fix their position anywhere to metres.
Open in the interactive tree →Each satellite carries atomic clocks, and receivers must correct for relativity, otherwise errors would grow by kilometres per day. GLONASS, Europe's Galileo (services from 2016) and China's BeiDou (global since 2020) followed. Navigation timing also underpins banks, power grids and phone networks.
Prerequisites
- Marine Chronometer1761GPS fixes position from precise time signals, the chronometer's longitude principle
- Theory of Relativity1905
- Quantum Mechanics1925
- Atomic Clock1955GPS satellites carry atomic clocks
- First satellite (Sputnik)1957
- Kalman Filter1960GPS receivers estimate position with Kalman filtering
Unlocks
- Argo Ocean Float Network2000-2007
- GRACE Gravity Satellites2002
- DARPA Grand Challenge2005
- Smartphone2007Maps and location on every smartphone depend on GNSS receivers
- Lidar Maps Hidden Ancient Cities2012-2026
- Reusable rockets2015
- Drone Delivery at Scale2016-2026
- Precision agriculture2020s
- Robotaxis in Daily Service2020–2026
- Level 5 Autonomous Drivingopen