Observation and Processing

*Scientific papers advocating the use of satellites for geodetic purposes were published
as early as 1956.

*Geodetic applications were outlined by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for

data obtained from Project Vanguard during the 1958-59 International Geophysical Year.

*The first real geodetic satellite was ANNA-1B launched in 1962.

*Several observational systems were developed and improved during ANNA. These
systems included geodetic cameras, electronic ranging and Doppler. Knowledge gained
from Project ANNA was also useful in the development of Laser ranging systems

Observational Systems
*Two basic systems have been used for obtaining geodetic information from artificial
earth satellites.
1. optical and ;
2. Electronic
*These systems have made it possible to perform various geodetic measurements to
relate known or unknown positions to the earth's center, to relate unknown positions to
existing triangulation networks, and to relate the triangulation networks to each other.