Why Join the IGS?
DRIVEN BY INNOVATION
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Our Background
Providing openly available GNSS data and products that benefit science and society.
Since the late 1980s, GNSS satellite constellations, starting with GPS, have come to play a major role in regional and global studies of Earth. In the face of continued growth and diversification of GNSS applications, the worldwide scientific community has made an effort to promote international standards for GNSS data acquisition and analysis, and to deploy and operate a common, comprehensive global tracking system.
As part of this effort, the IGS was formally recognized in 1993 by the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), and began routine operations on January 1, 1994, providing GPS orbits, tracking data, and other data products in support of geodetic and geophysical research. The International GNSS Service (IGS) is a one of several complementary Space Geodesy Technique services of the International Association of Geodesy (IAG), which itself is a component of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) a nongovernmental, scientific organization, established in 1919. IUGG is one of the 40 internationally recognized scientific Unions and Associations presently grouped within the International Science Council (ISC).
The other Space Geodesy techniques supported by IAG Services include Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR), Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), and Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) – each providing particular strengths or capabilities that complement the others. The services (IGS, IVS, ILRS, IDS) exist to foster international cooperation, collaboration, and an environment of healthy competition toward improving the reliability, availability, and usefulness of Space Geodesy products. In doing so, participating organizations benefit from the quality and quantity of internationally monitored and compared products from sites around the world.
IGS Mission
Availability
IGS Infrastructure: Supporting a
Resilient and Sustainable Service
The IGS is a critical component of the IAG’s Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS), where it encourages and advocates for geometrical linkages of GNSS with other precise geodetic observing techniques, including satellite and lunar laser ranging, very long baseline interferometry and Doppler Orbitography and Radio Positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS). These linkages are fundamental to generating and accessing the ITRF.
The IGS has several components: an international network of over 500 continuously operating geodetic-quality GNSS Stations, over 20 regional and operational data centers and six global data centers. Applications for IGS Network Station designation are evaluated by the IGS Network Coordinator, Infrastructure Committee, and Analysis Centers based on criteria such as dissemination of high-quality data, timeliness and regularity of data, uniqueness of location and/or function, and general adherence to IGS Site Guidelines.
IGS Network Stations provide continuous tracking using high-accuracy receivers, antennas (including those with multi-GNSS and real-time capability), and geodetic monumentation. They need to have data transmission facilities allowing for regular (at least once per day) data transmission to the data centers. The stations must meet physical and operational requirements as defined in the “IGS Site Guidelines” document available from the CB and published on the IGS website https://igs.org).
A two-organization Analysis Center Coordinator coordinates twelve analysis centers and over 20 associate or regional analysis centers. The Central Bureau for the service is located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which maintains the Central Bureau Information System (CBIS) and ensures access to IGS products and information. An international Governing Board oversees all aspects of the IGS.
Data and Products
Community Collaboration at Heart
technologies while promoting further innovation.
Why join the International GNSS Service?
“a better understanding of the Earth through the application of GNSS.”
Be a Part of the ITRF
As a key component of the IAG’s global geodetic infrastructure, the IGS contributes to, extends and densifies the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS). The ITRF provides an accurate and consistent spatial frame for referencing positions at different times and in different locations around the world.
Support Diverse Scientific and Geospatial Communities
Bring your Organization into an International GNSS Community of Excellence
The main reasons for your organization to join this international ‘community of excellence’ under the auspices of IUGG/IAG are:
Heightened profile with the imprimatur of IGS and its Members, and worldwide exposure for your organization. Increased visibility and engagement in international activities, programs, and projects will improve your organization’s reputation and peer recognition, and will increase its user base.
Improved funding prospects with increased international recognition (i.e., IGS and WDS are ‘good names’). If you are hosted by a larger institution, IGS membership can increase the value of your organization in the eyes of the host institution’s leadership. Facilitated interactions and data exchange—which might not be possible otherwise— with other members of the international data community thanks to the non-governmental and collegial nature of the IGS.
Adherence to the IGS Open Data policy, will demonstrate to your stakeholders and users your commitment to data and service quality, and long-term stewardship. IGS Network station hosts are recognized by GNSS-related research stakeholders (funders, publishers, etc.) to have met international peer review regarding scientific relevance, data management, technical infrastructure and security, and quality assurance.
IGS data, products, and advocacy works for continuous and sustainable improvement and extension of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) – International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). IGS products support scientific activities such as monitoring deformations of the solid Earth and variations in the liquid Earth (sea level, ice sheets, etc.), and in Earth rotation, determining orbits of scientific satellites and monitoring the ionosphere.
For example, geodynamics investigators who use GPS in local regions can include data from one or more nearby IGS stations, fix the site coordinates from such stations to their ITRF values, and more importantly, use the precise IGS orbits without further refinement. Data from an investigator’s local network can then be analyzed with maximum accuracy and minimum computational burden. Furthermore, the results will be based in a well-defined global reference frame.
Extend your Organization’s Benefits to Society
Engage with United Nations Working Groups
Open Data
How to become a part of the IGS?
Join Our Mailing Lists
Receive the latest news and information about the IGS, learn how to contribute to our work, and participate in upcoming events.
To sign up for an IGS Mailing List, visit Mailing Lists.
Become an Associate Member
Fill out the IGS Associate Membership form to apply to become an Associate Member.
To view a list of current associate members, visit Associate Members.
Register or Update your Organization’s Contributions
To register or update your organization’s contributions to the IGS, please fill out the Contributing Organizations form.
To view contributing organizations, visit our Contributing Organizations page.
Interested in providing a station for the IGS?
To initiate the application, review the guidelines listed on IGS Web Proposing New Stations (Updated 2021) document and fill out the Propose a New IGS Site form.