When you look up in the night sky and see the bright moving light of a satellite, you might assume that it is a GPS satellite, research probe or even a weather balloon. However, did you know that even if you correctly guess a satellite, there is a good chance that it doesn’t belong to the GPS constellation?
Indeed, we have previously discussed the different satellite systems, in relation to both RTK GPSand their sovereign owners, but today we will look at three systems in more depth. First, the American’s Global Positioning System (GPS), then the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) and finally, the European’s Galileo constellation. Understanding the Galileo satellite GPS system alongside GPS and GLONASS matters more than ever for surveyors weighing their equipment options.
| Constellation | Operator | First Launch | Satellites in Orbit | Key Frequencies |
| GPS | U.S. Space Force | February 1978 | 31 of 33 | L1/L2/L5 |
| GLONASS | Roscosmos (Russia) | October 1982 | 24 of 26 | L1/L2/L3 |
| Galileo | EUSPA/ESA (European Union) | December 2005 | ~26 usable | E1/E5a/E5b |
| BeiDou | China National Space Administration | October 2000 | ~35 usable | B1/B2/B3 |
Both constellations serve the same core purpose of global navigation, but Galileo generally gives higher signal accuracy thanks to its newer satellite technology. As a fully independent Galileo navigation system, it operates separately from and interoperably with GPS and GLONASS. However, GLONASS is known for its performance in high-latitude regions, such as northern Europe. In many modern receivers, both systems are combined for more stable positioning results.
By contrast, the GPS set of satellites is the oldest, with the first launch occurring in February of 1978. It is also the largest group of satellites, boasting 31 out of 33 units currently in space. Combining GPS and Galileo signals has become increasingly common in modern receivers, improving fix reliability in challenging conditions.
In terms of global coverage, GPS remains the dominant system due to its longer operational history and larger number of satellites. GLONASS, on the other hand, has been underfunded for a number of years and no longer plays as important a role in most positioning systems. When comparing GLONASS vs GPS performance directly, GPS’s larger, more mature constellation gives it the edge for global consistency. Many devices today use both constellations simultaneously to reduce signal dropout.
Finally, we have the Russian satellite constellation GLONASS, which saw its first launch back in October 1982. In many ways, the Russian system is the average of the European and American versions. This includes its start time as well as the middle ground number of satellites it boasts, which is currently 24 out of the planned 26.
BeiDou is China’s satellite navigation system, operated by the China National Space Administration. First launched in October 2000, BeiDou has grown into a fully global constellation, with roughly 35 usable satellites in orbit today. For RTK GPS users, BeiDou adds another set of signals a receiver can lock onto, especially valuable in the Asia-Pacific region where BeiDou coverage is strong, and as an added layer of redundancy anywhere multi-constellation receivers are used.
Although each type of satellite system is owned by separate governments, it is also true that they function better together. Indeed, when looking for the best accuracy for surveying and measurement activities, taking multiple measurements into account guarantees better accuracy. This benefit is, in part, because of the reduction of false signals.
At Bench-Mark, we’ve fitted receivers that track GPS, GLONASS, the Galileo global positioning system, and BeiDou simultaneously, and the difference shows up most in the field.
When a rover can pull corrections from the Galileo GPS system alongside GPS and GLONASS, it has more satellites to choose from at any given moment, which matters when tree cover, urban canyons, or terrain block part of the sky.
More visible satellites mean faster fixes, fewer dropouts, and more consistent accuracy in exactly the conditions where a single-constellation setup would struggle.
In our experience outfitting surveyors with multi-constellation GNSS equipment, this redundancy is what keeps a crew productive in obstructed environments instead of waiting out a weak signal.
GLONASS and Galileo are both global satellite navigation systems, but Galileo generally delivers higher signal accuracy thanks to newer satellite technology, while GLONASS performs especially well in high-latitude regions like northern Europe. Modern receivers often combine both for more stable positioning.
Galileo’s newer satellites and atomic clocks can offer a slight accuracy edge over GPS on paper, but in practice, real-world accuracy depends heavily on the receiver and whether it’s combining Galileo with GPS and other constellations. Most modern RTK equipment uses multiple constellations together rather than relying on either system alone.
GPS currently has 31 of 33 satellites in space, GLONASS has 24 of its planned 26, Galileo has roughly 26 usable satellites, and BeiDou has grown to around 35 usable satellites.
For surveying, the best global positioning system isn’t a single constellation, it’s a receiver that combines GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou together. Tracking all four gives surveyors more satellites to draw from, which translates to faster fixes and more reliable accuracy, especially in obstructed environments like dense tree cover or urban canyons.
Bench Mark Equipment & Supplies is your team to trust with all your surveying equipment. We have been providing high-quality surveying equipment to land surveyors, engineers, construction, airborne and resource professionals since 2002. This helps establish ourselves as the go-to team in Calgary, Canada, and the USA. Plus, we provide a wide selection of equipment, including global navigation satellite systems, RTK GPS equipment, GNSS receivers, and more. We strive to provide the highest level of customer care and service for everyone. To speak to one of our team today, call us on 403-286-0333 or email us [email protected]
