GGOS D-A-CH

The national geodetic commissions of Germany (DGK), Austria (ÖGK) and Switzerland (SGK), encompassing the D-A-CH region, joint their efforts in GGOS-related activities and in better exploiting the potential of GGOS in terms of science and infrastructure. For this purpose a preparatory working group was established and mandated. Many groups in the D-A-CH region are already strongly contributing to various components and activities of GGOS and to the IAG services in general. In order to institutionalize their activities and to tighten the links with GGOS as an organization, they decided to establish the GGOS D-A-CH committee and to apply for the status of a GGOS Affiliate.

New GGOS Affiliate: GGOS D-A-CH

A GGOS Affiliate in general is a national or regional organization that coordinates geodetic activities in that country or region. GGOS Affiliates allow increased participation in GGOS. GGOS Affiliates provide a forum for multi-technique, space-geodetic discussions, work to improve the quality of space-geodetic observations, and encourages the different agencies in that country or region that own, operate, and maintain the space-geodetic infrastructure there to collaborate with each other. Until now only one GGOS Affiliate – GGOS Japan – existed.

The application to become a new GGOS Affiliate was sent by Prof. Hansjörg Kutterer, as the chair of the GGOS D-A-CH committee, to the GGOS Coordinating Board. This application was approved by the GGOS Coordinating Board in May 2021.

Next Steps

The next steps are a Call for Participation to involve all stakeholders in the D-A-CH region in terms of persons and institutions, the formulation of the Terms of Reference with a clear focus on strategic topics in GGOS-related science, and the establishment of regular meetings to stimulate and promote dedicated research projects.

For further information, please visit the website of GGOS D-A-CH. It will be updated in future to provide more information.