Which term is used to refer to all global satellite positioning systems, including GPS?

The term that refers to all global satellite positioning systems, including GPS, is GNSS, which stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. This term encompasses a range of satellite constellations that provide geolocation services, including the American GPS (Global Positioning System), the Russian GLONASS (Globalnaya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema), the European Galileo, and the Chinese BeiDou systems. Each of these systems has its own unique characteristics and operational capabilities, but collectively they fall under the umbrella of GNSS. This term is important in the context of surveying and navigation because it highlights the integrated approach to positioning using data from multiple satellite systems, allowing for greater accuracy and reliability in locating positions on Earth.