Space Geodesy & GNSS
Research-driven expertise for GNSS orbit and clock determination, IGS-aligned precise ephemeris workflows, LEO-PNT studies, and resilient PNT in high-dynamics space environments.
Talk to Our Space Team →Space Expertise
From precise orbit determination to resilient next-generation PNT research.
Precise GNSS Orbit Determination
& GNSS ProductsComputation of high-precision GNSS satellite orbits, clocks, and atmospheric parameters using rigorous geodetic estimation workflows.
- Global GNSS Networks, SLR and VLBI integration
- IGS-aligned modeling conventions for precise ephemeris and clock workflows
- Advanced atmospheric modeling
- Least-Squares parameter estimation & Kalman filtering
- High-rate filtering for high-dynamics spaceborne GNSS trajectories
- Optimal smoothing for (near-)real-time evaluations
- Yaw-steering modeling during shadow-crossing & recovery
- Observability, estimability & error propagation analyses
LEO-PNT Approaches
Research and prototyping for LEO-augmented PNT concepts, including measurement modeling, filter design, and performance assessment.
Assessment of how LEO signals complement GNSS positioning and timing
Multi-constellation, multi-orbit architecture studies
Evaluation of non-GNSS measurements in experimental PNT pipelines
Resilient Positioning
Resilient PNT methods for jammed, spoofed, or GNSS-denied environments with integrity monitoring, anomaly detection, and graceful degradation strategies.
Pre-Mission Simulation
Powerful simulation tools for mission planning, constellation design, and performance prediction before launch.
Technical Expertise
Space-grade software development and research capabilities built on rigorous geodetic foundations.
Modern C++ Development
Type-safe, high-performance software built for maximum runtime efficiency in space-critical applications. AlgoNav's processing engine is developed entirely in modern C++, enabling deterministic memory management and computational throughput essential for processing large-scale GNSS observation networks.
Rigorous Sensor Fusion
Custom estimation models and algorithms tailored to specific mission scenarios and sensor configurations. From classical least-squares adjustment to sequential Kalman filtering with optimal smoothing, AlgoNav implements geodetic estimation techniques required for high-dynamics space applications and research testbeds.
Advanced Analysis
Observability, estimability, and error propagation analyses for functional and parametric modeling. These mathematical tools enable mission designers to predict positioning performance before deployment, identify critical parameters, and optimize constellation configurations for maximum accuracy.
Outlier Detection
Advanced multi-hypothesis strategies for robust data quality control in challenging environments. AlgoNav's outlier detection handles cycle slips, multipath, and anomalous measurements in real-time and post-processing, supporting anti-spoofing analysis and solution integrity under degraded signal conditions.
Applications
AlgoNav's space geodesy capabilities support a range of applications from fundamental research to operational satellite systems.
GNSS Product Generation
Computation of precise satellite orbits, clock corrections, and atmospheric products for GNSS constellations including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou. Workflows are aligned with IGS (International GNSS Service) conventions and precise ephemeris terminology used for Precise Point Positioning (PPP), reference frame realization, time transfer, and ionospheric monitoring. AlgoNav develops processing algorithms and software components for high-accuracy research and operational pipelines.
LEO Satellite Navigation
Research and development of positioning, navigation, and timing services using Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations and demonstrators. LEO-PNT can provide favorable geometry dynamics and additional signal diversity, but requires dedicated measurement models and high-rate filtering. AlgoNav contributes to ESA-funded and academic research exploring LEO augmentation, layered PNT architectures, and signals of opportunity.
Constellation Design and Simulation
Pre-mission analysis and simulation for new satellite navigation systems. Before committing to orbital parameters and signal designs, mission planners need reliable predictions of positioning performance under realistic conditions. AlgoNav provides simulation tools that model orbit mechanics, signal propagation, clock behavior, precise ephemeris quality, and estimation algorithms to predict achievable accuracy and identify optimal constellation configurations.
Resilient PNT for Defense and Critical Infrastructure
Positioning solutions designed to operate under intentional interference, including jamming and spoofing. AlgoNav's multi-sensor fusion architecture combines GNSS with inertial sensors, signals of opportunity, and integrity monitoring to detect inconsistencies and maintain navigation continuity when individual sources are compromised. The focus is resilient performance and risk reduction in contested environments, not absolute spoof-proof guarantees.
Challenges We Solve
Space geodesy operates at the boundary of measurement technology, where every millimeter of accuracy requires mastering complex physical effects and computational challenges.
Multi-GNSS Interoperability
Processing observations from GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, and BeiDou simultaneously requires rigorous handling of different time systems, coordinate frames, signal structures, and satellite attitude models. AlgoNav's multi-GNSS processing engine handles inter-system biases, differential code biases, and constellation-specific corrections transparently, maximizing the geometric strength and redundancy available from the complete GNSS constellation.
Atmosphere Modeling
Tropospheric and ionospheric delays are among the largest error sources in GNSS positioning. At the accuracy levels required for space geodesy, these effects must be modeled or estimated with sub-millimeter precision. AlgoNav implements state-of-the-art atmospheric models and estimation strategies, including ionosphere-free combinations, GRAPHIC combinations, and direct ionospheric parameter estimation for single-frequency applications.
Satellite Attitude and Antenna Modeling
GNSS satellites undergo complex attitude maneuvers, particularly during eclipse transitions where yaw-steering behavior creates rapid antenna phase center variations. AlgoNav implements detailed satellite attitude models, including noon-turn and midnight-turn maneuvers, shadow crossing recovery, and constellation-specific yaw-steering laws. Correct modeling of these effects is essential for orbit determination at the centimeter level.
High-Dynamics Filtering at Scale
Spaceborne and LEO trajectories introduce rapidly changing geometry and high Doppler rates, while global GNSS processing still involves hundreds of stations and millions of observations per day. AlgoNav combines high-rate sequential filtering, robust outlier handling, and efficient numerical methods so large-scale estimation remains stable under demanding dynamics and operational time constraints.
Research & Partnerships
AlgoNav's space geodesy work is grounded in active research collaboration with leading European space and geodesy institutions.
ESA Projects
AlgoNav is a participant in the ESA Business Incubation Centre Hessen, with active involvement in European Space Agency research programs exploring next-generation PNT architectures, LEO-based navigation, and resilient positioning concepts for future European infrastructure.
University Collaboration
Ongoing research partnerships with TU Darmstadt and other universities ensure that AlgoNav's algorithms reflect the latest advances in geodetic science. These collaborations provide access to independent validation, cutting-edge sensor technology, and the next generation of GNSS/INS researchers.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
AlgoNav's methods and results are documented in peer-reviewed publications in leading geodesy and geophysics journals, ensuring scientific rigor, reproducibility, and transparency. Explore our research publications for technical details.
Fraunhofer Cooperation
Collaboration with Fraunhofer research institutes on applied GNSS technology, bridging the gap between fundamental geodetic research and industrial applications in navigation, positioning, and timing for both terrestrial and space-based systems.
Ready to Launch?
Whether you're planning a new mission, need precise orbit products, or require consulting on PNT architectures – we're here to help.