History of geodesy VLBI in Korea

In 1995, first geodetic VLBI observation in Korea was performed as part of geodetic cooperation between the National Geographic Institute (current National Geographic Information Institute), Korea and the Geographical Survey Institute (GSI), Japan for monitoring of continental drift, setting-up of geodetic network and establishment of GPS reference station and ITRF. VLBI observation was carried out with transportable VLBI antenna in Suwon, which was provided by GSI, and two antennas in Japan.

The NGII(National Geographic Information Institute) attempted to continuously construct a geodetic VLBI system in order to improve the accuracy of geodetic control points and measuring the crustal deformation by earthquakes. Since 2006 the NGII began to develop a comprehensive plan to establish geodetic VLBI system.

The VLBI station and development of instrument was completed in 2011. The test observations were carried out successfully in February 2012. The completion ceremony of Space Geodetic Observation Center(SGOC) was held on March 27th, 2012. Geodetic VLBI is up and run in 16 countries (29 observatories). With establishment of SGOC, Korea has became the 16th country in the world(3rd in Asia) which runs geodetic VLBI observatory.
Space geodetic technology of Korea will be developed through the service of SGOC.