What are the three components of GPS?

• A. Space, Ground, User
• B. Space, Ground, Air
• C. Space, Control, User
• D. Space, Ground, Satellite

Answer: (A)

GPS is organized into three parts: satellites in space, ground facilities, and user receivers. The space segment is the constellation of satellites that continuously broadcast navigation signals and precise timing. The ground segment, often called the control or ground facilities, includes the master control station and a network of monitors and ground antennas on Earth that track satellites, determine their orbits and clock corrections, and update the navigation messages. The user segment consists of receivers and related gear used by end users to collect the satellite signals and compute position, velocity, and time. There’s no separate Air segment, and treating the ground portion as a distinct “Ground” component aligns with common, practical descriptions of GPS. Satellite itself is part of space, not a separate third component.