c) U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense was primarily responsible for the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Originally designed for military applications, GPS was developed during the Cold War as a satellite-based navigation system to provide accurate location and time information anywhere on Earth. Since its initial deployment, GPS has become a critical tool in various sectors, from navigation and mapping to telecommunications and emergency response. The widespread adoption of GPS technology has transformed everyday life, enabling the precise and reliable geographic positioning that underpins numerous modern technologies and services.