IGs

The International GNSS Service (IGS) is an international collaboration that coordinates the collection, processing, and distribution of GNSS data and products to support precise positioning, timing, and Earth science. Established in 1994, it operates as a voluntary consortium of national space geodesy and geoscience institutions.

The IGS coordinates a global network of GNSS ground stations that continuously observe satellites from multiple constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and others). Data are archived by Data Centers and used by Analysis Centers to produce precise orbit and clock products, station coordinates, and Earth orientation parameters. Products are generated in latency categories: Final, Rapid, and Ultra-rapid.

The program disseminates products in standard formats such as RINEX for observations, SP3 for orbits, SINEX for solution coordinates, and ERP for Earth orientation. It supports both conventional post-processing and real-time delivery through its Real-Time Service (RTS), providing near real-time corrections for applications requiring fast results.

Applications include high-precision positioning for surveying and geodesy, crustal deformation monitoring, timing synchronization, satellite navigation, and scientific research in geophysics and Earth science. The IGS fosters interoperability and data sharing among member institutions and the broader GNSS community.

Governance includes a Governing Board and a Central Bureau that coordinate operations, ensure data quality, and maintain standards. The IGS collaborates with related services and international space geodesy initiatives to advance GNSS science and applications.