The development of relatively inexpensive satellite receivers in the early 1970's has resulted in cost-effective applications of satellites for a variety of geodetic surveying needs. Currently achievable accuracies range from 10 to 20 centimeters. The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System, now under development by the Department of Defense, incorporates advanced technology which has the potential capability of revolutionizing satellite geodesy. Several concepts for utilizing GPS signals are briefly reviewed, and another concept, called the reconstructed carrier phase method, is described in some detail. This concept is being pursued by the Defense Mapping Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey. These agencies have numerous requirements for accurate positioning. Several prototype receivers are planned to be available for testing in mid-1982. These receivers should be highly portable, consume little power, and obtain base line accuracies of several centimeters in several hours of observation time. However, water vapor radiometers will be needed in order to achieve the full accuracy. Initial simulation results utilizing the reconstructed carrier phase method are included.