Distance, speed, time – these are the parameters that tell us how long it will take us to travel between start point and destination.  We used to work it out for ourselves using a map and the average speed we were likely to be able to travel, now electronic components do it for us, and so much better.  Most cars have an electronic route finder and we simply key in our destination;  this wonderful little box of tricks then calculates and recalculates as we progress, whether we take the shortest, fastest or most scenic route, or encounter changing traffic conditions.  This is all down to satellite technology – not just one satellite but a very minimum of three – and a whole world of high tech, sophisticated electronic components. [Read more...]