N. Vandenberg
IVS is Established
 
                   ABSTRACT
 
 
The International VLBI Service for Geodesy
and Astrometry (IVS) will be officially inaugurated on 1 March
1999. The IVS will be one of three international geodetic
services, the others being the IGS (International GPS Service)
established in 1994, and the ILRS (International Laser Ranging
Service) established in 1998. The services all originated from
the IAG's Commission VIII "International Coordination of Space
Techniques for Geodesy and Geodynamics" or CSTG.
The IVS was established by a Steering Committee set up by the
CSTG VLBI Subcommission in April 1998. The Steering Committee
will complete its activities in early February 1999 when the
initial Directing Board of the IVS has its first meeting. The IVS
will begin its work with 73 Components, 229 Associate Members,
and a 14-member Directing Board. The IVS enjoys broad
international and institutional participation, with components
from 14 countries and 29 different organizations.
summary of the first IVS Directing Board meeting is provided,
including the near-term plan for IVS activities.
 
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In Proceedings of the 13th Working Meeting on European VLBI for Geodesy
and Astrometry, Viechtach, 1999
 
Keywords: IVS