Projects Help with Projects Major Projects NASA Support Marshall Field Testing Facility

NASA Support


The GAGE Facility, in conjunction with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), is responsible for monitoring the 62 permanent GNSS stations that comprise the NASA Global GNSS Network (GGN). These sites represent approximately 16% of the International GNSS Service (IGS) global system of satellite tracking stations.

Data from these stations are used to produce highly accurate products that are essential for Earth science research, multidisciplinary applications, and education. The products include GNSS satellite ephemerides, Earth rotation parameters, global tracking station coordinates and velocities, GNSS satellite and tracking station clock information, zenith tropospheric path delay estimates, and global ionospheric maps. These products help improve and extend the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) maintained by the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS). Additionally, these products support the monitoring of the Earth’s deformation, rotation, and ionosphere, as well as orbit determinations of scientific satellites.

GGN

As part of its support to the NASA Global GNSS Network (GGN), the GAGE Facility monitors the network on a sub-hourly level, conducts maintenance and troubleshooting as necessary, and installs new stations as directed by JPL. See a map of GGN stations here.

IGS

UNAVCO also supports the International GNSS Service (IGS) Central Bureau (IGSCB) by providing technical and logistical support for the various IGSCB responsibilities including web mirror maintenance and readiness, development and maintenance of TEQC, and IGS workshop and committee contributions. See a map of all the IGS stations here.

Test Facility

UNAVCO operates an antenna and monumentation calibration facility at Marshall Field Test Site just outside of Boulder, CO. Continuing experiments are conducted to gain a better understanding of the effects of equipment swaps (especially antenna changes) on position solutions. The effects of monumentation and antenna height on multipath and radome effects are also investigated.

In 2012 the station was overhauled in order to experiment with more environmentally friendly GNSS station infrastructure. Carbon neutral solar panels were installed, as were high efficiency charge controllers that prolong battery life. The station serves as a prototype for future solar powered station installations.

 

Last modified: 2020-07-07  18:00:19  America/Denver