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From the GPS nav unit on your dashboard to sophisticated flood prediction models, new uses for GPS technology seem to be multiplying exponentially. A new website developed by NASA and its partners — GPS Application Exchange – recently debuted that is devoted to sharing the practical uses of GPS technology.

It’s been nearly 50 years since the Navy’s precursor to today’s Global Positioning System, Transit, was developed for military use. The satellite navigation system maintained by the U.S. government, called NAVSTAR GPS, has grown from five satellites in 1960 to about 32 today. The standard term for such systems is Global Navigation Satellite System or GNSS. Similar systems are operational or in development around the world. The Russians are in the process of restoring their GLONASS network. The European Union is developing Galileo. China is working to expand its regional Beidou navigation system to global scope. Japan is one of several countries with a nationwide system, and India expects to be operational with its own regional IRNSS system by 2012.  

Since 1983 when President Regan declassified GPS for civilian use, GPS technology has become so prevalent that today it impacts our daily lives in myriad ways. NASA’s new website provides a resource and forum for exploring and sharing practical uses of GPS. Earthquake-riddled Japan is using its regional GPS array to plot physical ground movements in an effort to create an earthquake warning system. Iceland is using GPS-equipped snowmobiles in search and rescue missions. In Bangladesh, GPS is being used to develop a flood-control plan by tracking flooding caused by frequent monsoons. In the U.S., GPS systems are now used to track wildlife patterns, herd cattle and keep track of kids to protect against kidnapping.

U.S. consumers are already aware of the growing capabilities of even the most basic GPS consumer products. Handheld GPS units and automotive navigation devices can track even the most obscure locations. Naturally, they can pinpoint the locations of restaurants, stores and gas stations; but some can also tell you if there’s a bear on the trail up ahead and where the fish are biting. GPS is quickly becoming one of those “can’t live without it” necessities of modern American life. Fortunately, ActionGPS puts owning a GPS within the grasp of every consumer. Visit ActionGPS.com to check out our complete line of top-selling Garmin and TomTom GPS devices at highly affordable prices.