The ESA mission GENESIS (launch around 2028) will be the first mission to combine all four space geodetic techniques – DORIS, GNSS, SLR and VLBI – on a single satellite. A particularly innovative feature is the planned integration of a VLBI transmitter on the satellite that can be observed by VLBI telescopes on Earth. This combination of techniques should make it possible to detect systematic errors between the techniques.

The aim of the mission is to improve the realisation of global terrestrial reference frames. Reference frames are an essential basis for Earth observation and subsequent applications, such as monitoring sea levels. The accuracy requirements were defined by the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) and aim for a positioning accuracy of 1 mm and a long-term stability of 0.1 mm per year for the reference frame defining parameters. The importance of this goal was also stated in a United Nations resolution.

In cooperation with the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) and the Deutschen Geodätischen Forschungsinstitut at the Technical University of Munich (DGFI-TUM) GFZ is conducting simulations that will provide essential insights for the planning and success of the GENESIS satellite mission. In addition, the work includes the verification of the simulations based on real data (e.g. from Sentinel-3A/B and -6A MF) and the development of new methods for combining the various techniques and standardising formats.

The GFZ contributes its long-standing expertise in the field and its internationally recognised software solutions such as EPOS-OC to the project. This software is continuously being developed to process the complex data from the mission. The GENESIS-D project thus lays the foundation for determining the best possible global reference frames with the first complete Space Tie Mission in the future.

Project partners:

• Section 1.1, GFZ
• Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie (BKG)
• Deutschen Geodätischen Forschungsinstitut an der Technischen Universität München (DGFI-TUM)

Project duration:

• 2025-2027

Funding:

• Deutsche Raumfahrtagentur im DLR

Project related Publications:

• Schreiner PA, König R, Neumayer KH, Reinhold A (2023): On precise orbit determination based on DORIS, GPS and SLR using Sentinel-3A/B and -6A and subsequent reference frame determination based on DORIS-only. - Advances in Space Research, 72, 1, 47-64.
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2023.04.002