What system uses satellites and receivers to determine precise positioning on Earth?

The system that uses satellites and receivers to determine precise positioning on Earth is the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). This system encompasses various satellite navigation systems, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), which is one specific realization of GNSS.

GNSS utilizes a network of satellites that transmit signals to receivers on the ground, allowing these receivers to calculate their precise location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) through triangulation. This reliance on satellite signals means that GNSS can provide accurate positioning data anywhere on Earth, as long as there is a clear line of sight to the satellites.

While GPS is widely recognized and commonly used as a form of GNSS, it represents just one of several systems; others include GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), and BeiDou (China). Each of these systems operates under the GNSS umbrella and shares the principle of using satellite signals to determine location.

In contrast, systems like the Inertial Navigation System (INS) rely on internal sensors to track movement, and compass navigation depends on magnetic fields rather than satellite data, making them different from GNSS methods. Thus, the terminology and inclusivity of GNSS make it the most accurate description for the question posed.