The realization and maintenance of a Galileo Terrestrial Reference Frame (GTRF) is one of the components contributing to the system performance of Europes Global Navigation Satellite System Galileo. The GTRF shall be compatible with the latest International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) within a precision level of 3 cm (2 sigma). To achieve this, a Galileo Geodetic Service Provider (GGSP) has been defined by the project already in the early stages of the programme.

In the future, ultra-stable clocks will be available on the ground and in space, as well as high-precision time and frequency transmission systems. The goal of this project is to integrate data from these new tools into GNSS geodetic data analysis and to analyse their potential for computing global geodetic precision products derived from GNSS.

The IGS as a service of the IAG provides GNSS data and products with highest quality. GFZ contributes to this service by operating about 30 globally distributed Multi-GNSS reference stations and hosting one Analysis Centre (AC).

The ArGID project explores ice observations gathered by a GNSS reflectometry setup, run by GFZ, during a dedicated ship expedition, lead by the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI). The expedition of the Norwegian research vessel “R/V Lance” collects data of ocean and sea ice properties in Fram Strait, at the major link between the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean.

Several small satellite studies (MicroGEM, NanoGEM, NanoX) have been conducted since 2010. The main goal is the realization of a prototype satellite for GNSS reflectometry and radio occultation. Significant benefit is expected due to a future multiple satellite constellation with a high coverage for GNSS Earth Monitoring, that is needed e.g. for tsunami detection.