Space Geodesy Programme

We have numerous local and international partners, the most important ones are (in alphabetical order):

• GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ), Potsdam, Germany.
• King AbdulAziz City of Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Matjiesfontein, South Africa.
• NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Washington DC, USA.
• National Laser Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR:NLC), Pretoria, South Africa.
• Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR:NRE), Pretoria, South Africa.
• Observatoire Astronomique de la Cote d'Azur (OCA), Grasse, France.
• University of Pretoria (UP), Pretoria, South Africa.

 
GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ)
GFZ (Potsdam) operates a Satellite Laser Ranger and is involved in global Space Geodesy projects at a very high level. Our collaborations are in the field of gravity, GPS, Tide Gauge and SLR.
 
King AbdulAziz City of Science and Technology (KACST)
KACST operates a SLR in Saudi Arabia, but would like to develop towards a Fundamental Geodetic Site, in parallel with our development of a new station.
 
Matjiesfontein
The owner of the historical town of Matjiesfontein, David Rawdon, expressed his interest to make available a suitable piece of land on the farm, to house the new Space Geodetic facility (IISGEO) that we want to establish.
 
NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre
We are currently in the second 10 year agreement with the Goddard Space Flight Centre, for operating a Satellite Laser Ranging station for them (MOBLAS6).
 
National Laser Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR:NLC)
The NLC is a partner in the development of a novel laser system to be used in the Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranger of the new station.
 
Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR:NRE)
The NRE helps with matters relating site surveying towards establishing the new station at a suitable location
 
Observatoire Astronomique de la Cote d'Azur (OCA)
OCA donated a 1m optical telescope, which is to be refurbished in South Africa for use as part of the new Satellite and Lunar Laser Ranger. OCA will be involved with the development, implementation and science products of the new S/LLR.
 
University of Pretoria (UP)
The University of Pretoria is to provide space for the refurbishment of the telescope donated by OCA. We also collaborate on the establishment of a post-graduate Space Geodesy program at the university.