A Westerbork Radio Telescope for GNSS Signal in Space Monitoring

With the increasing reliance on accurate and trustworthy use of GNSS data, there is an increased need to have access to a correct, optimized and continuously operating set of reference systems to support the GNSS operational system. In Europe, the advent of the Galileo system [1], induced an early need for insightful data starting from the launch of Giove A and B as the first prove of concept satellites for the Galileo system. In response to this, several European private and public parties shared development capabilities to arrive at a Signal In Space (“SIS”) monitoring facility for this purpose. In the Netherlands the thorough knowledge and capabilities of the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) used for Radio Astronomy supported this and further developments. In the present contribution, key system aspects of the dedicated facility at the WSRT are detailed for this and further developments for GNSS usage.