You are here: / 🌍 Geodesy News

Geodetic Data: Applying FAIR, TRUST and CARE Principles

, ,
Why should geodesists care about FAIR, TRUST and CARE? This article shows how these principles improve the visibility, reuse, citation, long-term preservation and ethical use of geodetic data.

Global Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly Dataset Now Operationally Available via Copernicus

,
A new global Terrestrial Water Storage Anomaly (TWSA) dataset became operationally available via the Copernicus Climate Data Store in April 2026. Developed through a decade of European GRACE/GRACE-FO collaboration, the dataset provides satellite-based observations of water storage changes across Earth’s surface and subsurface, supporting climate monitoring and future groundwater applications.

Geodesy Cartoon Competition – Winning Cartoons Revealed

, , ,
Winners of the Geodesy Cartoon Competition were announced on 5 May 2026 at EGU26 in Vienna during IAG geodesy Reception. With 274 submissions from 119 cartoonists in 46 countries, the initiative highlights how creative visuals make geodesy accessible and strengthen science communication and outreach.

New Website: Discover the Importance of VLBI for Geodesy and Society

, , , ,
This accessible and visually engaging explainer introduces the fundamentals of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and shows how radio telescopes around the globe measure distances of thousands of kilometres with millimetre precision. It highlights contributions to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame, satellite navigation, and Earth observation, and showcases Australia’s role in global VLBI operations.
VLBI GNSS Onsala Sweden

The Visibility Challenge of Geodesy

, ,
Geodesy quietly underpins our modern world - from GNSS navigation to climate monitoring and digital twins. The new article “The Visibility Challenge of Geodesy” in the GIM International Magazine (Issue 4 2025) explores the global infrastructure behind geodesy and highlights initiatives to make it more visible and accessible to surveyors, geomatics professionals, and the wider geospatial community.

Satellite Laser Ranging – How SLR Powers Geodesy

, , , , , ,
Discover Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) – lasers from ground stations measure satellite and Moon positions with millimeter precision. SLR supports the Terrestrial Reference Frame, tracks Earth rotation, tectonic motion, improves gravity and sea level models, and tests relativity. Explore the science behind these precision measurements in our Geodesy Cartoon.
Geodesy Cartoon

Lost Without Geodesy

, , , , ,
What happens if geodesy disappears? Phones, planes, and warning systems would fail. Our cartoon “Lost Without Geodesy” shows how vital this invisible science is. Geodesy powers GNSS, enabling precise positioning, earthquake monitoring, sea level studies, and more. Without it, GNSS would drift and global systems would collapse.
Geodesy Cartoon

First Geodesy Cartoon Released

, , , , , ,
We’re excited to share the first release in our new cartoon series about geodesy: The New Height of Qomolangma (Mt. Everest). This cartoon offers an engaging and educational look at the long-standing debate between China and Nepal over the…
ESA atomic clock satellite

A new atomic clock in space could help us measure elevations on Earth

, , , , , ,
What if we could measure height differences on Earth to the centimeter from space? ESA’s ACES mission on the ISS links ultra-precise atomic clocks in orbit with those on Earth — enabling more accurate global elevation data. This could transform geodesy and help refine height reference systems worldwide.
people crowd society

New Paper Highlights the Power of Geodesy to Support Science and Society

,
The global geodetic community has come together to address one of the most pressing needs of our time: monitoring the dynamic Earth system. A new peer-reviewed article, “The Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) – Harnessing Geodesy for…