The Role of VLBI Among the Geodetic Space Techniques Within CSTG

TitleThe Role of VLBI Among the Geodetic Space Techniques Within CSTG
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2000
AuthorsDrewes, H.
EditorTakahashi, F.
Conference NameInternational VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry 2000 General Meeting Proceedings
Abstract

The main objectives of the Commission on International Coordination of Space Techniques for Geodesy and Geodynamics (CSTG) for the near future are the optimum integration of all geodetic observation techniques in a unique global network, the International Space Geodetic Network (ISGN), and the combined processing of all heterogeneous space geodetic measurements in a common data analysis procedure. The combination of different techniques will provide more reliability and a higher accuracy of the results. Each of the techniques plays an important role in this procedure and provides some unique tools for the geodetic parameter estimation. VLBI is not only unique in connecting the celestial and the terrestrial reference frames, but it gives also other indispensable information about geodetic parameters, which the satellite techniques cannot solve for independently. Only the inclusion of VLBI observations will guarantee the continuity and stability of geodetic reference systems.