GPS station Vilnius (VLNS) and its stability

Abstract

The permanent observations of satellites of the U.S. NAVSTAR (Navigation System with Time And Ranging) Global Positioning System (GPS) are an important step in the intensive and effective exploitation of GPS in geodesy, surveying and geodynamics. Recently, more national and international permanent GPS networks are being established. The dense network of permanent stations situated on the European continent is processed within the EUREF (European Reference Frame) Permanent Network (EPN). Its main task is to maintain and extend the terrestrial reference frame in Europe. Lithuania has been participating in the EUREF permanent network’s activities since 1996, when the GPS station VILNIUS started regular continuous observations of GPS satellites. The GPS station was established with a help of the Onsala Space Observatory (Sweden). The GPS station was mounted in the territory of Vilnius international airport (Lithuania). The four characters identifier VLNS and DOMES number 10801M001 were assigned to VILNIUS GPS station by the International Earth Rotation Service in 1999. The VILNIUS station is operated and maintained by the Institute of Geodesy of Vilnius Technical University. The main task of the VLNS permanent GPS station is to take part in EUREF activities and serve as the reference for GPS campaigns in Lithuania. The aim of this paper is to describe the current status of the technical equipment of the VILNIUS station and its evolution. The analysis of the data quality and the 2-year interval of coordinate determination at VLNS within the EUREF network will be presented also. The analysis of the distance, azimuth, coordinate variations of the GPS stations VLNS and VGTU is given.