Abstract's details
An Update on Genesis Mission Status
Event: 2026 IDS Workshop
Session: Advances in Satellite Dynamics and Orbit Determination
Presentation type: Oral
Genesis is an ESA mission conducted by the ESA Navigation Directorate as part of the FutureNAV program. Its primary objective is the contribution to the improvement of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) towards an accuracy of 1mm and a long-term stability of 0.1mm/year.
The Genesis Space Segment consists of a single spacecraft in MEO (400kg, 6000km altitude, 95° inclination) co-locating for the first time in space the four geodetic instruments used for the realisation of the ITRF: a GNSS receiver, an SLR reflector, a VLBI transmitter and a DORIS receiver. The scientific mission data will be processed, archived, and distributed by ESA’s Data PROcessing, Archiving and Delivery facility (PROAD), in close collaboration with the scientific community.
Genesis’ fully calibrated satellite will establish precise and stable ties between the key geodetic techniques, implementing a unique dynamic space geodetic observatory. As the ITRF is recognised to be the foundation of countless space and ground-based applications, Genesis positive impact will be significant.
On the industrial side, the company OHB Italia has been contracted by ESA as mission prime. Antwerp Space, as payload prime, is responsible for the geodetic instruments. The System Preliminary Design Review was successfully carried out in 2025, and work is on-going to consolidate the design.
On the scientific side, a Genesis Scientific Exploitation Team (GSET) was set-up and members appointed. This structure encompasses representatives of ESA, a lead Scientific Coordinator and Co-Coordinator, as well as five Working Groups covering the four geodetic techniques and their combination. The GSET has been actively supporting the mission development, the requirements/design consolidation, and will play a key role in the future exploitation of the mission data.
This presentation will provide an up-to-date overview of the Genesis mission from a system, programmatic, and scientific point of view.
keywords: space geodesy, ITRF, mutli-techniques, genesis
type of participation: in-person
Back to the list of abstractThe Genesis Space Segment consists of a single spacecraft in MEO (400kg, 6000km altitude, 95° inclination) co-locating for the first time in space the four geodetic instruments used for the realisation of the ITRF: a GNSS receiver, an SLR reflector, a VLBI transmitter and a DORIS receiver. The scientific mission data will be processed, archived, and distributed by ESA’s Data PROcessing, Archiving and Delivery facility (PROAD), in close collaboration with the scientific community.
Genesis’ fully calibrated satellite will establish precise and stable ties between the key geodetic techniques, implementing a unique dynamic space geodetic observatory. As the ITRF is recognised to be the foundation of countless space and ground-based applications, Genesis positive impact will be significant.
On the industrial side, the company OHB Italia has been contracted by ESA as mission prime. Antwerp Space, as payload prime, is responsible for the geodetic instruments. The System Preliminary Design Review was successfully carried out in 2025, and work is on-going to consolidate the design.
On the scientific side, a Genesis Scientific Exploitation Team (GSET) was set-up and members appointed. This structure encompasses representatives of ESA, a lead Scientific Coordinator and Co-Coordinator, as well as five Working Groups covering the four geodetic techniques and their combination. The GSET has been actively supporting the mission development, the requirements/design consolidation, and will play a key role in the future exploitation of the mission data.
This presentation will provide an up-to-date overview of the Genesis mission from a system, programmatic, and scientific point of view.
keywords: space geodesy, ITRF, mutli-techniques, genesis
type of participation: in-person