Schriever AFB celebrates GPS’ 20th birthday
When it comes to scenery, Colorado has it all. More than 108,000 square miles of beauty.
Donald Grahek has seen what the state has to offer, and he’s been to many other places as well.
“I spend time on the west coast, in Texas and in Florida,” he said.
It’s something most of us use every day, especially when we’re on the road.
It’s Global Positioning System (GPS), and it has helped many travelers avoid headaches.
This week they’re celebrating a milestone at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs as GPS turns 20.
But it’s the easier travel that GPS provides that many people are celebrating.
“Our mission is precision navigation and timing and all of those parts of that mission are getting better and better and better,” said Capt. Moses George, U.S. Air Force 50th Space Wing.
What’s a surprise to many people is how much of what we use every day relies on GPS.
“Banks, trains, automobiles, everything. We’re a tremendously GPS integrated world right now,” said Capt. George.
Years ago, if you wanted to figure out where you were in the state of Colorado, you had to break out a book of maps.
These days thanks to GPS you can toss the map book aside and simply break out your phone instead.
Wednesday, they took a step toward making GPS even better as a new satellite was launched at Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
Major Kimberly Adams of the U.S. Air Force 50th Space Wing tells us what happened after launch.
“Three and a half hours later the vehicle separated from the booster and here at Schriever (AFB) we took over and started commanding the vehicle.”
Even though the satellites are controlled at Schriever, when it comes to launch time – well, you know what they say about it taking a village.
“We also have people out in (Los Angeles) and we have people in Florida,” said Major Adams.
It’s a matter of pride knowing that you and America’s finest will always know the way.
There’s another Colorado connection to your GPS.
The satellite launched on Wednesday was designed in Centennial.
