GPS Constellation

GPS Constellation
There are a total of 24 GPS satellites divided
into six orbits and each orbit has four
satellites. Each orbit makes a 55-degree angle
with the equator, which is referred to as the
inclination angle. The orbits are separated by
60 degrees to cover the complete 360 degrees.
The radius of the satellite orbit is 26,560 km
and it rotates around the earth twice in a
sidereal day.
 Characteristics of GPS Satellites

Constellation Number of satellites 24

Number of orbital planes 6

Number of satellites per orbit 4

Orbital inclination 558

Orbital radius 26560 km

Period 11 hrs 57 min 57.26 sec

Ground track repeat sidereal day

• At any time and any location on the earth,
neglecting obstacles such as mountains and tall
buildings, a GPS receiver should have a direct
line of sight and be receiving signals from 4 to
11 satellites.
• A majority of the time a GPS receiver can
receive signals from more than four satellites.
• For this 24-satellite constellation with a 5-degree
elevation mask angle, more than 80% of the
time seven or more satellites are in view.
 Sidereal Day
• A sidereal day is the time for the earth to turn
one revolution.
• The sidereal day is slightly different from an
apparent solar day. The apparent day has 24
hours and it is the time used daily.
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