Space geodetic observations based on microwaves experience propagation distortions (delays and bending) due to atmospheric conditions. The analysis of these distortions is essential to remove their effects from geodetic observations prior to data processing. In turn, the detected distortions provide valuable information about atmospheric properties such as water vapor content in the troposphere and electron content in the ionosphere and plasmasphere. In combination with solar observations, geodesy also contributes to our understanding of the vertical and horizontal couplings or interactions between the Earth system components magnetosphere, ionosphere, plasmasphere and thermosphere of the upper atmosphere and the mesosphere and troposphere of the lower atmosphere. Atmospheric products provided by geodesy are essential for improving weather forecasting models, researching climate change and its effects on the atmosphere, and for forecasting space weather events, which can have a significant impact on satellites, navigation, communication and power supply systems, or the launch and return of space missions.
Key Geodetic Products
The following geodetic products are key to realising, monitoring and applying this Essential Geodetic Variable:
IAG as part of the IUGG
IAG Related Organisations
IAG collaborates closely with numerous organizations within geodesy and beyond. See the list for details.
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