GGOS D-A-CH – A regional framework for research on the integration of geodetic observing systems
Abstract
GGOS D-A-CH is the regional GGOS affiliate which represents the German-speaking countries Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH). As there has been a long-term, well-developed and outstanding tradition of academic cooperation between these three countries in the field of geodesy, in particular in terms of space geodesy and geodetic observing systems, GGOS D-A-CH was established to provide a regional framework for the continuous enhancement of scientific research in this field. Ongoing activities are dedicated to conceptual considerations on the methodological integration of geodetic observing systems, primarily addressing the interfaces between the three pillars of geodesy (geometric, Earth rotation, gravity field), with the goal of enabling third-party funded collaborative research in this field. The present state of this work will be presented in this contribution.
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KIT –Die Forschungsuniversität in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft Geodätisches Institut www.kit.edu GGOS D-A-CH –A regional framework for research on the integration of geodetic observing systems Hansjörg Kutterer IAG 2025, G06-4, 04 September 2025
2 General information on GGOS D-A-CH •Long and successful tradition in the D-A-CH countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) with respect to GGOS-related issues in terms of scientific work, technological and infrastructural work, participation in and contribution to respective committees, with the Department „Geodesy“ of the German Geodetic Commission (DGK) as exchange forum •Proposal of GGOS D-A-CH as second GGOS Affiliate; approval by GGOS CB on 19 May 2021 •Chair: H. Kutterer (KIT) •Main objectives: •Basis and forum for GGOS-related activities in the D-A-CH region •Stimulator and incubator for GGOS-related coordinated research •Reference to the white paper Müller et al.: „Geodesy 2030“ •written by the members of the Department „Geodesy“ of the German Geodetic Commission (DGK), •published in German in 2019 and translated to English in 2022 •https://geodaesie.info/images/zfv/147-jahrgang-2022/downloads/zfv_online-only_Mueller_etal_EN_2022.pdf
3 avn 05-06/2024: Special issue on Earth observation (Guest editor: H. Kutterer, with contributions from GGOS members) Prof. Dr.-Ing Hansjörg Kutterer 03.11.2025 https://gispoint.de/artikelarchiv/avn/2024/avn-ausgabe-05-062024.html Warmest thanks to all contributors!
4 Goal: Coordinated, third-party funded research on key GGOS topics •GGOS vision: Quantifying our planet's changes in space and time Advancing our understanding of the dynamic Earth system •GGOS mission: Duality „Observing system“ „Global geodetic frame of reference“ •Established mindset: „Three pillars of geodesy“ •General approach: •Comprehensive integration •Exploitation of observation and model interfaces •Inclusion of innovative observation techniques Ongoing: Preparation of a joint research proposal
5 Revision and prioritization of the three pillars (acc. to Schuh et al., 2004)
6Geodätisches Institut Updated approach for geodetic Earth observation (based on Schuh et al., 2004) Geodetic observations Space techniques •GNSS, VLBI, SLR, DORIS •Altimetry, InSAR •Gravity field missions Terrestr. techniques •essential and supportive •including tie obs. and env. sensing Innovative techn. •quantum sensors •optical clocks • … Geodetic parameters and products Geometry Earth rotation Gravity field Reference frames Earth system parameters Earth system models and external forces Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere Solar system
7Geodätisches Institut Updated approach for geodetic Earth observation (based on Schuh et al., 2004) Geodetic observations Space techniques •GNSS, VLBI, SLR, DORIS •Altimetry, InSAR •Gravity field missions Terrestr. techniques •essential and supportive •including tie obs. and env. sensing Innovative techn. •quantum sensors •optical clocks • … Geodetic parameters and products Essential Geodetic Variables Contributing Geodetic Variables Earth system models and external forces Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere Solar system
8Geodätisches Institut Topical focus for geodetic Earth observation (based on Schuh et al., 2004) Geodetic observations Space techniques •GNSS, VLBI, SLR, DORIS •Altimetry, InSAR •Gravity field missions Terrestr. techniques •essential and supportive •including tie obs. and env. sensing Innovative techn. •quantum sensors •optical clocks • … Geodetic parameters and products Essential Geodetic Variables Contributing Geodetic Variables Earth system models and external forces Atmosphere Hydrosphere Geosphere Biosphere Solar system Research on parameterprocess interfaces, established through Earth system process modelling, represented by condition equations, providing predictions of geodetic parameters allowing quantification of inconsistency and uncertainty, challenged by exploiting immanent parameter constraints.
903.11.2025 M5: Multi-connectivity Multi-purpose Multi-scale Multi-sensitivity Multi-technique https://geodesy.science/ggos/ https://www.globalwaterstorage.info/en/anwendungen/terrestrial-water-storage. Essential variables Real-time capabilities Earth system Persistent M5 Earth observation One step further: Capability orientation – expected technical features Earth observation