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If GPS satellite clocks ignored Einstein's relativity, about how fast would position errors grow?

Past stat · 2026-10-19 UTC

The answer

Clocks in orbit run faster in weaker gravity (general relativity) and slower because they are moving (special relativity). Net effect: about 38 microseconds a day, which is roughly 10 km of ranging error if you do not correct it. GPS only works because the clocks are built for that.

Correct answer: On the order of 10 kilometers per day

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