Tango:Transatlantic GPS Net for Geodynamics and Oceanography

Abstract

The TANGO GPS campaign, carried out from November 25 to December 5,1988, was the first step towards the realization of a project whose main goals are: (i) Definition of a unified 3D-datum of the Portuguese and the European network and connection to the American continent via the Azores and Bermuda islands by using GPS and satellite altimetry; (ii) Establishment of a high precision network to monitor the Kinematics of the Azores volcanic region, located in the area of convergence of the North American, African and Eurasian plates (Azores triple junction), and to assess GPS potentialities to measure continental drift

For the measurement of epoch zero 10 TI 4100 GPS receivers were used at selected stations and tide gauges in Portugal, Spain, French Caribbean and on the Bermuda island. Through international cooperation, connection to the CIGNET network was established by pre-optimized observation schedule and selected satellite tracking for the purpose of precise orbit determination using phase data.

The paper presents the detailed description of the measurements and discusses the methodology adopted in the processing of the data. The specific problems due to intercontinental size of the network (non-intervisibility) and the bad satellite geometry at the Azores islands are outlined. Preliminary results are reported.