Scientific Infrastructure and Platforms

The „Scientific Infrastructure and Platforms“ organizes and cares science services, like satellite communication for global networks and observatories. A central position takes thereby the adaptation and development of modern information technologies, which are settled in the Centre for GeoInformation Technology CeGIT (http://www.gfz-potsdam.de/portal/gfz/cegit;jsessionid=C88789E50DFD1AC6CE2C9B186077334A). Also belongs the supply of scientific information in the form of print media and increasingly in electronic form by the Library and Information Services LIS  to the main tasks.

Observatories
GFZ-operated Earth System Observatories are selected to be optimally suited for a systemic study of coupled Earth processes and their impact on the human habitat in areas of high societal relevance.

Satellites
The GFZ operates the satellite missions CHAMP and GRACE. They measure the magnetic field and the gravity field of the earth from a relatively low orbit. Additionally it determines the temperature distribution, the dampness and the pressure in troposphere and stratosphere as well as the electron density in the ionosphere. In March 2009 the follow-up project GOCE starts.

Geophysical Instrument Pool Potsdam (GIPP)
The GFZ runs the Geophysical Instrument Pool Potsdam (GIPP) for field experiments in seismics, seismology and magnetotellurics. The pool provides instruments and sensors, which are available for common projects with universities and other research institutions.

Innovarig
Innovarig is a new drill rig with innovative charactaristics for scientific drilling and industrial applications. Designed by the GFZ in cooperation with the industrial partner Herrenknecht Vertical and H. Angers´Sons, it will exeed the modern requirements of drilling. With a small environmental footprint it also reduces manpower and operational costs to a minimum.