Speaker
Description
The European Space Agency (ESA) currently works on the Genesis mission. Genesis is a so-called co-location satellite that should contribute to the improvement of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). The idea is to combine the four space geodetic techniques Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Doppler Orbitography and Radio Positioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) on one single spacecraft that is orbiting Earth. The Genesis satellite is planned to be launched in 2028 and have a life time of at least 2 years.
In order to work on the goals of the Genesis mission, ESA has set up a Genesis Science Exploitation Team (GSET). GSET involves four technique-specific working groups (WGs), one each for VLBI, GNSS, SLR and DORIS, as well as one working group for the ITRF and combinations. The technique- specific WGs have the task to advise and support ESA for all aspects of the Genesis mission, including assistance in calibration, processing and validation of Genesis data, and the exchange information with the international science community.
Working Group 3 (WG-3) foused on the VLBI aspects of Genesis. Currently discussed topics are the VLBI transmitter and transmitting antenna, compatability with normal operations of the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS), and the IVS product generation. Other important aspects for WG-3 are optimal scheduling, end-to-end simulations, and eventually also test observations of Genesis.
This presentation is on behalf of ESA GSET WG-3 (VLBI) and gives an overview on the current status of the work performed in the working group.
