National Geodetic Survey: Who We Are NGS homepage NOAA home page
NGS: Positioning America
For the Future 

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) defines and manages the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) - the framework for latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, orientation and shoreline throughout the United States. NSRS provides the foundation for transportation, communication, and defense systems, boundary and property surveys, land records systems, mapping and charting, and a multitude of scientific and engineering applications. NGS also conducts research  to improve the collection, distribution, and use of spatial data. 

NGS conducts aerial photography surveys near airports in the United States and its possessions to position obstructions and aids to air travel. It maps the coastal regions of the United States and its possessions to position the shoreline and other features needed to construct navigational charts.

NGS provides Federal leadership in developing standards and specifications for conducting geodetic surveys, coordinates the development and application of new surveying instrumentation and procedures, and conducts outreach activities including technical workshops conducted throughout the United States and an advisory program conducted with several states.

 
 

NGS program descriptions (PDF format):

  Aeronautical Survey Program 

National CORS Program

State Advisor Program

Cooperative Base
Network

Federal Base
Network

User Densification
Network

GPS Orbit Data

Mapping Total Electron Content

Height Modernization
Activities

National Shoreline

National Spatial
Reference System

Online Mark Recovery Form
NGS Organizational Information describes NGS organizational structure. NGS Vision, Mission, and Strategic Goals provides a more detailed description of NGS and its functions.

The Office of National Geodetic Survey, as defined in the NOAA Organizational Handbook.

Contact Us: personnel directory and location information.
So, what is geodesy?  Who needs it and why?
Geodetic Geodesy Geoid
Of or determined by geodesy. The science concerned with determining the size and shape of the Earth and the location of points upon its surface. The surface of the Earth's gravity field which best fits sea level.
Geodesy, Imagine the Possibilities A brochure (in pdf format) explaining the role of geodesy in contemporary America. 
Geodesy for the Layman A "classic" report which presents the basic principles of geodesy in an elementary form. [also available in pdf format]
An Online Tutorial in Geodesy A introduction to geodesy by the GeodesyGroup of the University of New Brunswick.

For information, contact: NGS Information Services Branch
Telephone: 301-713-3242; Fax: 301-713-4172
Email

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