Roger L. Easton
Encyclopedia
Roger L. Easton is an American
scientist. He is the principal inventor and designer of the Global Positioning System
(GPS). In 1955, Easton co-wrote the Naval Research Laboratory's Project Vanguard
proposal for a U.S. satellite
program in competition with two other proposals, including a proposal from the U.S. Army prepared by Wernher Von Braun
. The Eisenhower Administration selected Project Vanguard. Easton also invented the Minitrack tracking system to determine the Vanguard satellite's orbit. When Sputnik was launched in 1957 Easton extended the system to actively follow unknown orbiting satellites. The Naval Space Surveillance System became the first system to detect and track all types of Earth-orbiting objects.
Later in his career at NRL, Easton conceived, patented, and led the development of essential enabling technologies for the United States Global Positioning System (GPS). During the 1960s and early 1970s he developed a time-based navigational system with passive ranging, circular orbits, and space-borne high precision clocks placed in satellites. The idea was tested with four experimental satellites: TIMATION I and II (in 1967 and 1969) and Navigation Technology Satellites (NTS) 1 and 2 (in 1974 and 1977). NTS-2 was the first satellite to transmit GPS signals.
Easton was born in Craftsbury, Vermont
, and graduated from Middlebury College
in 1943.
He received the National Medal of Technology
for his "extensive pioneering achievements in spacecraft tracking, navigation and timing technology that led to the development of the NAVSTAR-Global Positioning System (GPS)."
On March 31, 2010, Easton was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
and presented the NIHF Medal of Honor for the development of TIMed navigATION (TIMATION
- U.S. Patent 3,789,409) that provided both accurate position and precise time to terrestrial based observers, an important foundation for contemporary Global Positioning Systems.
The original director of the U.S. Air Force Joint Program Office, however, disputes many of Easton's claims to "principal inventor" of the GPS, notably the relevance of his patent.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
scientist. He is the principal inventor and designer of the Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS). In 1955, Easton co-wrote the Naval Research Laboratory's Project Vanguard
Project Vanguard
Project Vanguard was a program managed by the United States Naval Research Laboratory , which intended to launch the first artificial satellite into Earth orbit using a Vanguard rocket as the launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral Missile Annex, Florida....
proposal for a U.S. satellite
Satellite
In the context of spaceflight, a satellite is an object which has been placed into orbit by human endeavour. Such objects are sometimes called artificial satellites to distinguish them from natural satellites such as the Moon....
program in competition with two other proposals, including a proposal from the U.S. Army prepared by Wernher Von Braun
Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian, Freiherr von Braun was a German rocket scientist, aerospace engineer, space architect, and one of the leading figures in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany during World War II and in the United States after that.A former member of the Nazi party,...
. The Eisenhower Administration selected Project Vanguard. Easton also invented the Minitrack tracking system to determine the Vanguard satellite's orbit. When Sputnik was launched in 1957 Easton extended the system to actively follow unknown orbiting satellites. The Naval Space Surveillance System became the first system to detect and track all types of Earth-orbiting objects.
Later in his career at NRL, Easton conceived, patented, and led the development of essential enabling technologies for the United States Global Positioning System (GPS). During the 1960s and early 1970s he developed a time-based navigational system with passive ranging, circular orbits, and space-borne high precision clocks placed in satellites. The idea was tested with four experimental satellites: TIMATION I and II (in 1967 and 1969) and Navigation Technology Satellites (NTS) 1 and 2 (in 1974 and 1977). NTS-2 was the first satellite to transmit GPS signals.
Easton was born in Craftsbury, Vermont
Craftsbury, Vermont
Craftsbury is a town in Orleans County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,136 at the 2000 census. The town includes the four unincorporated villages of Craftsbury Common, Mill Village, North Craftsbury and East Craftsbury.-Town:...
, and graduated from Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in 1943.
He received the National Medal of Technology
National Medal of Technology
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation is an honor granted by the President of the United States to American inventors and innovators who have made significant contributions to the development of new and important technology...
for his "extensive pioneering achievements in spacecraft tracking, navigation and timing technology that led to the development of the NAVSTAR-Global Positioning System (GPS)."
On March 31, 2010, Easton was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
and presented the NIHF Medal of Honor for the development of TIMed navigATION (TIMATION
Timation
The Timation satellites were conceived, developed, and launched by the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. beginning in 1964. The concept of Timation was to broadcast an accurate time reference for use as a ranging signal to receivers on the ground. On May 31, 1967 the Timation-1...
- U.S. Patent 3,789,409) that provided both accurate position and precise time to terrestrial based observers, an important foundation for contemporary Global Positioning Systems.
The original director of the U.S. Air Force Joint Program Office, however, disputes many of Easton's claims to "principal inventor" of the GPS, notably the relevance of his patent.