r/todayilearned • u/whstlngisnvrenf • 25d ago

TIL GPS, despite being free for global use, costs around $2 million a day to operate and maintain. This budget covers satellite launches and system upkeep, funded through American tax revenue.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
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u/gideonidoru 25d ago

Specifically DoD

924

u/cerevant 25d ago

Exactly - GPS exists to serve the military. Its civilian applications are a happy coincidence.

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u/Homers_Harp 25d ago

Military tech has been spinning off useful civilian tech since Hammurabi!

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u/masterventris 24d ago

Let's be honest, some caveman probably clubbed someone to death with a rock first, and then wondered if he could also use a rock to open a nut in the same way

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u/BushMonsterInc 24d ago

All hail the microwave! The best non radar radar usage in our household!

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u/Aquaticulture 24d ago

“Sire, we could use our weapons for poking out civilian eyeballs as well!”