halfords news

Global positioning systems or GPS, also known as satellite navigation systems or satnav - how accurate are they?

According to a scientist who used to work as a consultant for Nasa, they are very accurate indeed.

Arthur Dula, a space lawyer, thinks the technology is so good that he wants to make a satnav that charts the entire solar system, New Scientists reports.

"The most accurate way of navigating on Earth is to use the GPS – a receiver reads the signals broadcast by at least three orbiting satellites and calculates its position to within a few metres on Earth," the article stated.

Mr Dula's idea is to install satellite-like base stations on moons and asteroids around the solar system to help spacecraft to navigate.

GPS technology was developed by the US department of defence more than two decades ago and has become a valuable tool for motorists.

Halfords has extended its 50 per cent off deal on satnav and GPS products, including brands such as TomTom and Garmin.