The Future of Global Navigation Satellite Systems: Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, Any Accuracy by 2027

"Global navigation satellite system" (GNSS) is the standard generic term for satellite navigation systems that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. A GNSS allows electronic receivers to determine longitude, latitude, and elevation of the receiver on the Earth's surface. Many of the services provided by NOAA are tied to the use of GNSS, including maintenance of the National Spatial Reference System.

Introduction Portable, Hand-held Devices Automobile Navigation Homeland Security Applications Checking the Weather Surveying Work Path to the Future

Global Positioning System satellite used for precise positioning and navigation. The term "global navigation satellite system," or GNSS, generically describes navigation systems that use a network of satellites and a ground-based receiver to calculate the position of the receiver on the Earth's surface. It was not so long ago that satellite navigation systems sounded like something from a James Bond film. However, in the last two decades, rapid advancements in global positioning have made satellite navigation commonplace in everything from cars to cell phones. Only 11 years have passed since the United States declared full operational capability for the Global Positioning System (GPS). The system, fully named NAVSTAR (NAVigation Satellite Timing and Ranging), is operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and includes 24 satellites that orbit the Earth. The Russian global positioning system

(GLONASS) has struggled against funding cuts, but did briefly have a full constellation of satellites just 10 years ago. Additionally, a European GNSS, called Galileo, is under development and a Chinese system, called Compass, was proposed in 2006. Entire industries have developed around these systems, greatly enhancing the overall performance (accuracy, integrity, etc.) of each GNSS. The overall global benefits gained from each of these systems, relative to their costs and augmentations, must be considered nothing short of incredible. NOAA's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is responsible for maintaining the National Spatial Reference System, and GNSS has revolutionized NGS's ability to provide an accurate and frequently updated spatial reference system. What is perhaps even more incredible is what the next 20 years will bring to the GNSS field. This article considers how the GNSS environment of 2027 might impact everyday citizens and NOAA's ability to deliver services critical to our nation.