The International GPS Service for Geodynamics - Benefits to Users

James Zumberge, Ruth Neilan, Gerhard Beutler and Werner Gurtner

Abstract:	The International GPS Service for Geodynamics is an international scientific service which began formal operation at the beginning of 1994, following several years of planning [l] and a it/2-year pilot service. The IGS collects, archives, and distributes GPS observation data sets, and uses these to generate high accuracy GPS satellite ephemerides, earth rotation parameters, coordinates and velocities of the IGS tracking stations, GPS satellite and tracking station clock information, and ionospheric information. To accomplish its mission, the IGS consists of a network of GPS tracking stations, Data Centers, Analysis Centers, an Analysis Coordinator, a Central Bureau, and a Governing Board. The accuracies of IGS products are sufficient to support current scientific objectives, including the realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), monitoring of the earth’s rotation and deformation of its liquid and solid components, ionsopheric monitoring, and scientific satellite orbit determination. A Central Bureau Information System (CBIS) allows public access to IGS products, which include precise GPS ephemerides within 2-3 weeks of real time. IGS contributors and customers communicate through electronic mail, and exchanges are archived for future reference.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994) September 20 - 23, 1994 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1663 - 1666
Cite this article:	Zumberge, James, Neilan, Ruth, Beutler, Gerhard, Gurtner, Werner, "The International GPS Service for Geodynamics - Benefits to Users," Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1994, pp. 1663-1666.
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