SATELLITE CATEGORY GUIDE
GPS Satellite Directory: Medium Earth Orbit Navigation Geometry
The GPS category lists spacecraft associated with the Global Positioning System. GPS satellites operate in medium Earth orbit, much higher than the ISS but far lower than geostationary orbit, so their apparent motion and pass timing differ from both.
Tracking an orbit is different from computing a GPS position
A navigation receiver estimates its position from precisely timed radio signals and navigation data from multiple satellites. SpaceTracker.live does not receive those signals. It propagates public orbital elements so you can study where a catalogued GPS spacecraft is and how it is positioned relative to an observer.
This distinction matters because a catalogued satellite can be trackable even when it is not marked healthy for navigation service. Operational status belongs to the official GPS control and user-information systems.
Use the dedicated GPS tracker
For a constellation-focused interface, open the GPS Satellite Tracker. You can also compare GPS with Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou to see how multiple global navigation constellations occupy medium Earth and related orbital regimes.
How this directory works
Select one GPS spacecraft to examine a single MEO orbit, or compare several entries to understand constellation geometry. The individual tracker calculates where the chosen satellite is relative to Earth and to your observer location.
This page visualises orbital geometry; it does not measure receiver accuracy, signal integrity or official satellite health. Navigation performance depends on the complete constellation, receiver conditions and control-segment information beyond a simple orbit calculation.
What to remember about accuracy
Frequently asked questions
Is the position direct spacecraft telemetry?
No. The live map is calculated from public orbital elements.
Does appearing in this directory mean a satellite is operational?
No. Catalog membership and mission status are different things.
Can I track one object in more detail?
Yes. Open any GPS spacecraft from the directory to see its calculated position and observer-relative azimuth, elevation and range.
Sources and related tools
- CelesTrak: General Perturbations data formats
- GPS.gov: Official U.S. GPS information
- SpaceTracker.live Satellite Directory
- How SpaceTracker.live calculates positions
Educational-use note: SpaceTracker.live is an independent educational website. Positions and pass predictions are calculated from third-party orbital elements and may be delayed or approximate. Do not use them for navigation, collision avoidance or other safety-critical decisions.