What is the name of the satellite-based radio navigation system operated by the US government?

The satellite-based radio navigation system operated by the US government is known as GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System. GPS was developed by the United States Department of Defense and became fully operational in the 1990s. It consists of a constellation of satellites that transmit signals to devices on the ground, allowing users to determine their precise location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) anywhere on Earth.

The significance of GPS lies in its widespread use for navigation in various applications, including automotive navigation systems, smartphones, aviation, maritime navigation, and surveying. The accuracy and reliability of GPS have made it an essential tool for professionals, including surveyors, who rely on precise location data for their work.

Galileo is a satellite navigation system developed by the European Union and is separate from GPS. GNSS, or Global Navigation Satellite System, is a general term that refers to any satellite navigation system, which includes various systems like GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS. GLONASS is the Russian counterpart to GPS. Each of these systems operates independently, but GPS specifically refers to the system operated by the United States government, making it the correct answer to the question.