GNSS at GGAO
GODS GNSS antenna and dome on tri-brace monument
A GPS receiver (GODE) has been located at GGAO since early 1993; in early 2006, a GPS+GLONASS receiver (GODZ) was installed utilizing the same antenna as the original GPS receiver. More recently, two next-generation, multi-GNSS capable receivers, GODN and GODS, were also installed at GGAO. The GNSS receivers are used as permanent sites of the International GNSS Service (IGS) network and as a global co-location point linking together the GNSS, VLBI, DORIS, and SLR reference frames. At one time, these receivers participated in studies with NOAA/NGS in the Chesapeake Bay regions GPS network.
Two new GNSS stations, GODN and GODS (Goddard North and South), were also installed at GGAO and have been collecting data since January 2012. The stations are multi-constellation (i.e., they are compatible with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo). A comparison of the GNSS measured GODN-GODS baseline length to the VTS measurements was found to be in agreement at the sub-millimeter level (horizontal direction).
A close up of the antenna connected to the GODE and GODZ GNSS receivers. Two light bulbs (one red on left and one white in front) are installed under the radome; these bulbs serve two purposes: (1) to reduce the humidity levels within the radome and (2) to prevent the GSFC snow plow operators from running into the monument. Charcoal is scattered beneath the antenna to absorb moisture. A fan is also running under the dome to provide air circulation.
The GODE monument with Dorne-Margolin antenna and radome.
GODN GNSS antenna and dome on tri-brace monument
