Neil deGrasse Tyson reveals GPS satellites pre-correct time for relativity

What was said

"We are closer to the center of the earth than the GPS satellites are. So we experience slower time than they do. Yet we get our precise time from them. So when they send down their time from orbit, they pre-correct it for Einstein's general theory of relativity so that our time works at our location on Earth's surface."

Tyson explained that GPS satellites must account for Einstein's general relativity because they experience faster time in orbit than we do on Earth's surface due to gravitational time dilation. The satellites pre-correct their transmitted time signals to compensate for this relativistic effect, ensuring accurate navigation. This real-world application of relativity theory demonstrates how abstract physics enables everyday technology.