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<span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US">Dear
Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">It is time to give a short
summary of the topics
discussed at the 41st International GNSS Service Governing Board
Meeting held
in San Francisco on December 2, 2012. The meeting was dominated
by two major
topics, namely the readiness for the launch of the IGS Real-time
Service and
the IGS Strategic Plan for 2013-2017. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">* IGS Real-Time Service<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">A significant share of the
time was allocated to the
current status and schedule for launching the IGS Real-time
Service. Mark
Caissy - with support from Loukis Agrotis connected through
telecon - presented the status: Close to 200 tracking stations
provide real-time tracking data and eight RT ACs compute GPS
real-time clocks
that are combined by two combination centers and distributed by
two product
distribution centers. The GB considers the current status of
implementation,
the redundancy concept and the demonstrated product accuracy
mature for the
launch of the Initial Operational Capability of the Service in
the beginning of
next year. Georg Weber demonstrated the capabilities of the
combined GPS+GLONASS
product. The GB rates the status of this proposed product at a
level that
allows to make it available as experimental product to the
users. Significant
work is currently invested - in close contact with the IGS CB -
with setting up
the web site that presents the interface to the users with the
necessary information
concerning the available real-time products, monitoring figures
of their
performance, and the details on how to access and use them. With
the conclusion
of this work Initial Operational Capability of the IGS RT
Service can be made
available very early in 2013 with Full Operational Capability
later in 2013.
The Service will rapidly develop into a Multi-GNSS Service. Its
focus are
geophysical applications, e.g. natural hazards monitoring in the
framework of
GGOS, but it will support a large variety of application in
positioning,
navigation, time transfer, system monitoring. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">* IGS Real-Time WG Chair<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">NRCan committed to support
Mark Caissy for another
year as the Chair of the RT WG. The German Federal Agency for
Cartography and
Geodesy confirmed is support for Georg Weber as potential WG
Chair, while
European Space Agency confirmed the support of Loukis Agrotis as
the RT ACC. On
behalf of the IGS GB I thank these institutions for their
important and
significant support for the IGS real-time activities. The GB
decided for
continuity in leadership in the process of launching the RT
Service and is thus
very glad that Mark Caissy accepted to continue chairing the RT
WG. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US">* Multi-GNSS
Experiment M-GEX <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">Although Oliver
Montenbruck, Chair of the GNSS WG,
could not attend the meeting, he provided a comprehensive report
on the status
and progress made in the experiment. The network currently
consists of 50 fully
operational globally distributed stations and 10-20 stations
that are about to
be integrated into the network. Orbit and clock products for
Galileo and QZSS
are routinely generated by AIUB, CLS, GFZ and TUM. The M-GEX web
site has been
revised with the support of the IGS CB and contains plenty of
information about
the experiment as well as on the different satellite
constellations. The WG
plans to focus on data flow, understanding of observables, site
characterization and the generation of products, targeting the
launch of a
Pilot Project in 2015. For this the contributions from all IGS
components are
essential.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">The GB acknowledged the
significant progress achieved in
its cornerstone experiment that prepares the IGS for the future.
The GB decided
to dissolve the M-GEX Organizing Committee and to assign all its
functions to
the GNSS WG. It also decided to rename the GNSS WG into
Multi-GNSS WG (MGWG) in
order to better emphasize its working field and the
responsibility for M-GEX.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US">* IGS
Strategic Plan 2013-2017</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><br>
<span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:333.0pt"><span
style="font-size:
10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">Steve
Fisher from the IGS CB
presented the Progress Report for the period 2008-2012 which
exists as a draft
document that records and quantifies, based on the annual
implantation plans,
the progress made by the IGS in the different fields addressed
by the Strategic
Plan. Juan Ceva from the IGS CB then presented the status and
progress of the
Strategic Plan for the next period. The process shall lead to an
updated
version of the current plan, including elements that allow for a
better
monitoring and reporting of progress. As a preparatory step a
SWOT analysis was
performed by members of the GB and selected stakeholders,
analyzing strengths,
weaknesses of the IGS and opportunities and threads the IGS
faces. The analysis
resulted in three goals that essentially correspond to the goals
formulated in
the current plan. The goals are further decomposed into several
objectives
which in turn are decomposed into initiatives. Targets and
measures are being
defined allowing to assess the status of each objective with
respect to the
target for a regular monitoring by the GB. Goals, objectives,
measures and
targets were further extensively discussed by a smaller group of
GB members the
day after the GB meeting. The final version of the new Strategic
Plan will be
available early next year. I want to thank the IGS CB team for
the big effort
spent for the preparation of all these documents supporting the
finalization of
the new Strategic Plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops:333.0pt"><span
style="font-size:
10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US">* GB
Membership<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">This year no elections
were required. GB membership of
Steve Fischer as IGS CB Secretariat was approved by the Board.
Given the
successful review of the work of the IGS Working Groups and
Pilot Projects
documented with the very successful IGS Workshop in Olsztyn this
year, the GB was
glad to extend the terms of those WG and PP Chairs whose terms
end this year. I
would like to thank all WG and PP Chairs and members for their
work and time
they contribute to the IGS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US">* Next
Workshop, next GB Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">After reports of the IGS
components and short update of the
IGS relations with other entities, Allison Craddock from IGS CB
presented a
proposal for the next IGS Workshop to be hosted in 2014 at JPL
in Pasadena. We
can already look forward for a next successful workshop that
coincides with the
20th anniversary of the IGS! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">The next GB Meeting will
take place on Sunday, April
7, 2013 in Vienna, Austria, in conjunction with the European
Geophysical Union
General Assembly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-36.0pt;tab-stops:
333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;mso-ansi-language:EN-US"
lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">As usual the GB Meeting
was longer than planned, finishing
just in time to join the well attended GGOS Reception, allowing
for a social
gathering with humorous short presentations from several of our
colleagues. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">I like to sincerely thank
all participants and
supporters of the IGS for your efforts and for all that was
achieved in this
past year. The thanks goes to the network operators, operators
of data centers
and analysis centers, the product coordinators, WG, PP and
Committee chairs and members,
the Central Bureau, GB and EC members, and all institutions
supporting the IGS.
Your work made the past year a really successful year for the
IGS. I wish you all
Merry Christmas, relaxing holidays and a successful and
prosperous 2013!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">With best regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">Urs Hugentobler<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US">Chair, IGS Governing Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"
style="tab-stops:333.0pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;
text-autospace:none"><span
style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Arial;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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