An assessment of the accuracy of the VGOS geodetic products

Abstract:

The next-generation VLBI system called VGOS (VLBI Global Observing System) is now operational. A network of 8 VGOS stations has been observing bi-weekly since 2019 under the auspices of the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) for the creation of standard geodetic products. Moreover, a subset of 2-4 of those VGOS stations has also been observing, starting in 2020, in a VLBI Intensives-like mode to assess the feasibility of earth’s rotation (UT1) estimation using VGOS. Intensives are VLBI observations that are run on a daily basis using a single baseline, for instance, between Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory, Hawaii, and Wettzell Observatory, Germany, with the goal of near-real time monitoring of UT1. We will describe the VGOS observations, correlation, post-processing, and preliminary geodetic results, including UT1. We will compare the VGOS estimates to estimates from legacy VLBI and other geodetic techniques such as GNSS, when and where possible, to draw some conclusions on the precision and accuracy of the VGOS estimates.