Lockheed Martin, a global security and information technology company, opened a Global Positioning System (GPS) exhibit this week in Vienna, Austria. The GPS exhibit is part of the permanent Space Exhibit at Vienna’s United Nations Office. The purpose of the exhibit is to emphasize the importance of satellite navigation technology.
GPS technology serves millions of people around the world in hundreds – maybe even thousands – of ways. GPS technology supports a wide range of civil, scientific and commercial functions – from air traffic control to vehicle navigation systems, to mobile phones and wristwatches. GPS is used to enhance public safety by reducing response times for police, ambulances, firefighters and other emergency services. GPS is also used to increase productivity in diverse areas such as farming, mining, construction, surveying, package delivery and supply chain management. Every time you receive an on-time package from Fedex, it is likely thanks to a GPS navigation device.
The GPS constellation works in conjunction with ground receivers to provide position, navigation and timing information to government, military and civilian users throughout the entire world. GPS is even being used to track and hopefully save wildlife that has been affected by the recent BP Gulf oil spill. For example, The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Geological Survey have attached GPS tracking devices to 10 Minnesota loons (Minnesota’s State Bird) in an effort to better understand the impact of the Gulf Oil spill on the bird.
The Lockheed Martin Exhibit does an excellent job of honoring GPS technology and its incredible impact on every citizen in the world. Rick Ambrose, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of its Surveillance and Navigation Systems, said “This exhibit represents our enduring dedication to GPS technology that continues to improve not only our world today, but also the world of tomorrow.” Mr. Robert Wood, the State Department’s Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, said, “This amazing technology clearly merits a place in the permanent space exhibit at the UN.”
About Lockheed Martin
The majority of Lockheed Martin’s business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Federal Government. Lockheed Martin is the largest provider of IT services, systems integration, and training to the U.S. Government.