How many GPS satellites are there orbiting the Earth and who is controlling?
The network of GPS satellites was funded by tax payers in the United States (thank you!) and is run by the US Government. The Europeans have made noises about creating a duplicate system, but so far there is only the US system — but it is available for anyone to use. There are 30 GPS satellites — called NAVSTARs — in place and the oldest one was launched in 1989. These are just the ones in operation now — another 22 have been launched since the program started in 1978, but are no longer working. The design of the satellites has remained essentially the same over the years; the differences have just been in their operations. The first 11 satellites, known as Group I and designed by Rockwell International, were launched into orbit between 1978 and 1985 from Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. Each of these satellites contained one Cesium and two Rubidium atomic clocks and could provide navigation and standard positioning information. Continuous contact with the Ground Control Se
