Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering

Laboratory Objective

The main objective of the Laboratory is scientific research and student education in the fields of Geodesy, Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics.

The Objectives of the Geodesy section of the Laboratory are:

To educate students on modern geodetic techniques and instruments such as total stations, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS, etc.

To provide Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data and services via the network of GNSS stations of the laboratory, which is installed and operating on Western Crete, Greece. The network consists of 11 permanent GNSS CORS (Continuous Operating Reference Stations), along with tide gauges, meteorological sensors, and communication equipment. TUC2 station provides GNSS data to the European Reference Network (EUREF) since 2004: http://www.epncb.oma.be/_networkdata/siteinfo4onestation.php?station=TUC200GRC

To provide services covering precision navigation applications, high precision geodetic surveys, geodynamic monitoring, geotechnical movements, monitoring of volcanic deformations, satellite altimetry, quality control of measurements, development of algorithms for the processing of satellite measurements, stochastic modeling of geodetic measurements, development of algorithms for remote satellite receiver operation, ionosphere, troposphere, observation of Earth's climate changes, observation of the mean sea level, large movements of buildings and constructions, development of geodetic data bases, etc.

The Objectives of the Geoinfomatics section of the Laboratory are:

Student education in the scientific fields of Remote Sensing, Digital Image Analysis and their environmental applications.

Statistical analysis and quality control of Remote Sensing data.

Database Development using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Digitization of maps and creation of Digital Terrain Models (DEM).

Satellite image analysis to detect environmental hazards (e.g. oil spills, forest fires), as well as the detection of geological faults and mineral resources, mining restoration monitoring, archaeological applications etc.

Infrastructure

• Permanent GNSS CORS stations
• Meteorological Stations
• Tide Gauges
• Total Stations
• Automatic Levels
• Digital Levels
• Compute and File Server
• NAS (Network Attached Storage)
• Personal Computers (Workstations)
• Laptops
• Printers
• Scanners
• Communication equipment (Satellite, 4G, LAN routers)
• GNSS receiver operating software (Leica GNSS Spider)
• GNSS data processing software (BERNESE)
• GNSS data processing software (GAMIT)
• GNSS data processing software (GIPSY)

Research and Development Projects

The laboratory is highly involved in the field of satellite altimetry calibration (since 2001). In its installed infrastructure on Western Crete a variety of altimetric missions are being calibrated: NASA (Jason-1, Jason-2, Jason-3), ESA (Sentinel-3A, Sentinel-3B, Cryosat), the Chinese space agency ( HY-2A, HY-2B), and finally the recent joint ESA / NASA mission (Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich).

In the framework of the above collaborations, a series of projects and collaborations have been accomplished, which are summarized below:

GAVDOS (2001-2004) - Establishment of a European radar altimeter calibration and sea-level monitoring site for Jason, Envisat and EURO-GLOSS, EU.

DynMSLAC-NASA (2005-2009) - Dynamics of Eastern Mediterranean, Sea Level, and Altimetry Calibration-Validation (DynMSLAC), NASA.

KASTELI (2007-2008) - Extension of the Gavdos permenent calibration/validation facility for radar satellite altimeters and development of a new facility on mainland Crete, GSRI, Greece.

SOFIA (2009-2012) - Enhancement of Crete’s potential for a dedicated calibration facility for satellite radar altimeters and for tectonic deformation monitoring using continuously operating geodetic arrays, EU.

S3ACS (2013-2015) - Sentinel-3 Altimeter Calibration Site”, European Space Agency

ALCYONE (2016) - Tandem Jason-2/Jason-3 transponder Calibration and Validation, CNES, France

ALCYONE-II (2016-2017) -  Jason-3 mission transponder calibration at the CDN1 Cal/Val site, west Crete, Greece, CNES, France

FRM4ALT (2016-2018) - Fiducial Reference Measurements for Altimetry, European Space Agency

SeRAC-Crete (2017 - 2021) - Sentinel-3 Radar Altimeter Calibration on Crete – Operational Support, European Space Agency.

FRM4S6 (2020 - ongoing) - Fiducial Reference Measurements for Sentinel-6, European Space Agency.

Other Projects:

PENED-95 (1996-1998) - Development of a Continuous Operating GPS System and Quality Control of Positioning Data. Collaboration with ΝΑSΑ (Goddard Space Flight Center), USA.  

EPPET-ΙΙ (1999-2001) - Research project from the General Secretariat of Research and Technology. Development of Satellite Navigation Technology in Crete.

CRINNO-EMERIC I (2004-2005)  - «Crete Innovative Region», Development of an Expert System for Monitoring, Management and Protection of the Natural Landscape and the Environment of Crete ». Funded by the European Secretariat of Regional Development 2000–2006: Regional Program of Innovative Actions – Crete Innovative Region.

HERACLETUS-1 (2002-2005) - “Research Scholarships at Technical University of Crete”. Funded by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, EPEAEK. Title: Quality Control of Geodetic Satellite Measurements ".

•HERACLETUS-2 (2002-2005) – “Research Scholarships at Technical University of Crete”. Funded by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, EPEAEK. Title: Development of Stochastic and Remote Sensing Methods to Monitor Environmental Pollution and Compliance with Security Rules..

GAVDOS SATELLTE STATION (2005-2006) - Analysis and dissemination of the scientific data of the Gavdos satellite station, funded by the Special Account of the Research Committee of the Technical University of Crete.

PYTHAGORAS-ΙΙ:GeoAlert (2005-2006) - SUPPORTING OF RESEARCH GROUPS IN UNIVERSITIES ", funded by the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs, EPEAEK. Title: "Development of algorithms and software for quality control of measurements in deformation monitoring".

FALASARNA (2006-2008) - Strengthening of Monitoring Networks and Production of an Expert Warning System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Crete, "Research and Technological Development Consortia in National Priority Areas" OPERATIONAL PROGRAM OF REGION of CRETE 2000-2006, General Secretariat for Research and Technology. ".

ISTRIA (2013-2015) - Development of an integrated system for motorway rockfall monitoring, Operational Program "Competitiveness & Entrepreneurship", Action "COOPERATION 2011", Special Service for the Management and Implementation of Actions in the Areas of Research for Technological Development and Innovation (EYDE-ETAK).