The Space Force’s 2d Space Operations Squadron (2 SOPS) and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s Global Navigation Satellite System Division (SFNG) worked collaboratively to deliver an updated WGS 84 reference frame to worldwide users of GPS.
NGA is responsible for maintaining the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) Terrestrial Reference frame which is used by the U.S. Department of Defense for its geolocation needs. In order to ensure adherence to international standards, facilitate interoperability with other GNSS, and satisfy US agreements and public commitments, NGA aligns the WGS 84 Terrestrial Reference Frame (TRF) to the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) as closely as possible. In this case, alignment involves updating both the positions of the GPS monitor stations which define the WGS 84 TRF as well as the Antenna Phase Center Offsets of the GPS satellites as contained in the IGS20 ANTEX file.
On 07 January 2024, 2 SOPS and NGA adopted the new IGS20 ANTEX values at virtually the same time, ensuring that NGA’s orbit products and the operational GPS constellation remain consistent. As of 04 March 2024, both 2 SOPS and NGA have adopted the newly updated GPS monitor station locations completing the implementation of the new WGS 84 realization. This new WGS 84 realization, WGS 84 (G2296) is aligned to both the ITRF2020, the most recent ITRF realization, and the IGS20, the frame used by the International GNSS Service.
These updates represent an improvement in positioning for high accuracy users and ensures that the United States maintains its public commitment that WGS 84, the implicit reference frame for all users of GPS, remains consistent with international standards.
For more information on this update to WGS 84, see the document at the following link: https://earth-info.nga.mil/php/download.php?file=WGS%2084(G2296).pdf
POCs: geomatics@nga.mil, GPSOperationsCenter@us.af.mil *** GENERAL MESSAGE TO ALL GPS USERS ***
POC: CIVILIAN – NAVCEN AT 703-313-5900, HTTPS://WWW.NAVCEN.USCG.GOV MILITARY – GPS WARFIGHTER COLLABORATION CELL at HTTPS://GWCC-WS.CCE.AF.MIL/GPSOC, DSN 560-2541, COMM 719-567-2541, gpsoperationscenter@us.af.mil, HTTPS://GWCC-WS.CCE.AF.MIL MILITARY ALTERNATE – JOINT SPACE OPERATIONS CENTER, DSN 276-3526. COMM 805-606-3526. JSPOCCOMBATOPS@US.AF.MIL
