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The only thing your unit can tell from a single satellite is roughly

how far you are from that satellite.

But what you want is your location nailed down in 3 dimensions ...

where you are left/right, where you are forward/backward, and

where you are up/down. Your receiver calculates each of these

by comparing its distance from different satellites.

And if you want all three dimensions, then you need a minimum

of four (4) different satellites, not 3.

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10y ago
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14y ago

Around 24

Actually it is only three. That is why it is known as triangulation. Triangle = 3 sides

3 satellites can triangulate your position and track you or guide you...

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13y ago

Minimum of 4. More accurate with more satellites.

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8y ago

5 (GPS) satellites

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14y ago

4. best buy

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11y ago

1

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Q: Why does the GPS unit need to interact with a minimum of 3 different satellites in order to give an accurate location?
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Related questions

Can 2 satellites run gps?

If your hand-held receiver only hears 2 GPS satellites, then it'll indicate a location, but what it indicates won't be accurate or reliable.


What are the benefits of using gps vs regular weather satellites?

GPS satellites are used to help us accurately determine the current time and our location. GPS satellites are not directly used to help us predict the weather. Weather satellites use many imaging and sensing technologies to help us predict the weather, but they are not useful in helping us determine our location. They are two different types of satellites with two different purposes. There are many other types of satellites too, such as communication satellites (such as used with Direct TV), space telescopes (such as Hubble) etc.


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What uses satellites to identify location?

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When radar stations on the Earth monitor the location and movements of satellites, they are said to be tracking the satellites.


How many gps satellites are required to pinpoint your location on earth surface?

To determine latitude and longitude the minimum number of satellites that the receiver must lock onto is three. To also determine elevation the minimum number of satellites that the receiver must lock onto is four. If the receiver can lock onto more satellites then it can improve the calculations to get a more precise location.


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The GPS (Global Positioning System) and GLONASS satellites.


What kind of satellites do sailors and pilots use to determine their exact location?

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Who invented a GPS?

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Do satellite phones make it easier for a person to track the phone owners wearabouts?

Most phones are capable of being tracked. Satellite phones bounce off the satellites so the location can also be pinpointed. It may not be as accurate as a regular cell phone but doable.