From the point of view of the GPS satellites, LEO and the Earth's surface are almost the same thing. The GPS constellation is a lot further away.

Fair point about relative distances.

It works up to 3000km with full precision, you just need a receiver without CoCom limits. (actually, precision should be better without atmosphere). It also works all the way up to geostationary orbit, but with some limitations.

https://www.gps.gov/multimedia/presentations/2011/09/ICG/mil...

The commercial GPS receiver are just software disabled not to work at certain speed and altitude. There used to be a receiver you can buy that does not have those restriction. You can also build your own GPS receiver and not have the restriction.

It does require special receivers, but AFAIK the only special thing in them is the removed speed/altitude limitation that exists in regular of the shelf receivers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordinating_Committee_for_Mul...

GPS orbits at 20,200km from the surface. Starlink orbits at 550km from the surface. So, relatively, they're basically on the ground, just moving really fast!

One of the design goals for GPS was munitions guidance, including missiles with suborbital flights. So yes, at least in LEO.

A design goal? Good point.