The following provides a brief overview of the structure of the IERS. For a graphical presentation, please refer to the Organization chart. For further details, consult the Terms of Reference and follow the links below.

According to the Terms of Reference, the IERS accomplishes its mission through the following components:

• Technique Centres
• Product Centres
• ITRS Combination Centres
• Research Centres
• Analysis Coordinator
• Central Bureau
• Directing Board
• Working groups

Technique Centres

The Technique Centres are autonomous, independent services which cooperate with the IERS. They are responsible for developing and organizing the activities in each contributing observational technique.

• International DORIS Service (IDS)
• International GNSS Service (IGS)
• International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS)
• International VLBI Service (IVS)

Product Centres

The Product Centres are responsible for the products of the IERS.

• Earth Orientation Centre
• Rapid Service/Prediction Centre
• Conventions Centre
• ICRS Centre
• ITRS Centre

• Global Geophysical Fluids Centre

  • Special Bureau for the Oceans
  • Special Bureau for Hydrology
  • Special Bureau for the Atmosphere
  • Special Bureau for Combination

ITRS Combination Centres

The ITRS Combination Centres are responsible to provide ITRF products by combining ITRF inputs from the Technique Centres and others. Such products are provided to the ITRS Product Center.

The ITRS Combination Centres are currently maintained by the following institutions:

• Deutsches Geodätisches Forschungsinstitut (DGFI-TUM)
• Institut National de l’Information Géographique et Forestière (IGN)
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

Research Centres

Research Centres have not yet been established.

Analysis Coordinator

The Analysis Coordinator is responsible for the long-term and internal consistency of the IERS reference frames and other products. The Analysis Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the appropriate combination of the Technique Centres' products into the single set of official IERS products and the archiving of the products at the Central Bureau or elsewhere.

Central Bureau

The Central Bureau is responsible for the general management of the IERS, consistent with the directives and policies set by the Directing Board, i.e., acts as the executive arm of the Directing Board. The Central Bureau facilitates communications, coordinates activities, monitors operations, maintains documentation, archives products and relevant information, and organizes reports, meetings, and workshops.

Directing Board

The DB exercises general control over the activities of the service and modifies the organization as appropriate to maintain efficiency and reliability, while taking full advantage of the advances in technology and theory.

Working groups

Working Groups may be established by the DB to investigate particular topics related to the IERS components. Working groups are limited to a term of two years with a possible one-time re-appointment.

• IAG/IERS Working Group "Metrology of space geodetic infrastructure"
• IERS Working Group on SINEX Format
• IAG/IAU/IERS Joint Working Group on the Consistent Realization of TRF, CRF, and EOP
• IERS/IAG/IAU Working Group on the Prediction of Earth Orientation Parameters
• IAG/IERS Joint Working Group on GENESIS
• IAG/IERS Joint Working Group "Evaluation of the Terrestrial Reference Frames"

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