Universität Bonn

Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation

en
08. January 2026

Preparations for the planned ESA satellite mission “Genesis” Preparations for the planned ESA satellite mission “Genesis”

++ Update: Poster Award for Patrick Schreiner ++

As part of the Genesis-D project led by the GFZ Potsdam, German institutions are preparing for the European Space Agency's (ESA) new Genesis satellite mission, which is scheduled to launch in 2028.

Genesis will contribute to a highly improved International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) of Earth with an accuracy of 1 mm and a long-term stability of 0.1 mm/year, providing a coordinate system for the most rigorous navigation applications on our planet.
Genesis will contribute to a highly improved International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) of Earth with an accuracy of 1 mm and a long-term stability of 0.1 mm/year, providing a coordinate system for the most rigorous navigation applications on our planet. © ESA - P. Carril (These photographs may be reproduced free, on the following conditions: They may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by ESA or one of its employees of a commercial product, process or service, or used in any other manner that might mislead. If these photographs are to be used in advertising or any commercial promotion, layout and copy must be submitted to ESA beforehand for approval. The full copyright has to be indicated.)
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This mission will enable all four geodetic space techniques to be observed on a single satellite. It is thus expected to make a significant contribution to the goal of significantly improving geodetic reference systems. Currently available geodetic reference systems do not yet meet the accuracy and stability requirements urgently needed for the precise and reliable observation of global processes such as sea level rise.

The working group of Space Geodesy at the IGG advises the GFZ Potsdam on extensive simulation studies designed to support the preparation of the mission.

 

Poster award for Patrick Schreiner

In early March, Patrick Schreiner from the GFZ Potsdam was awarded the ‘Early Career Scientist Best Poster Award’ for the best scientific poster at the REFAG2026 conference in Munich, which takes place only once every four years. The poster presented initial results from simulation studies of the Genesis satellite mission. The team from the working group 'Space Geodesy' is advising the GFZ on these simulation studies.

Link to GFZ press release.

 

 

 

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Susanne Glaser
University of Bonn
Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation (IGG)
Nussallee 17, 53115 Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 228 732626
E-Mail: sglaser@uni-bonn.de