The IGFS Central Bureau (CB) will act as the central coordination and communication centre of the IGFS. The CB will provide a linkbetween the IGFS entities, IAG, and external projects, networks or organizations (oceanic, atmospheric, hydrologic, …); provide link to the GGOS bureau and communicate their requirements and recommendations to the IGFS, and implement standards and recommendations related to gravity field observations, secure consistency with geometric standards, and promote their use within the geoscientific community. The CB will also maintain the web information of the IGFS, and arrange gravity field-related meetings and workshops.

The CB should organize and coordinate task forces to

• Define standards for gravity field data observation procedures, anomaly computations, and associated data corrections (meteorology, hydrology, postglacial rebound, etc.)
• Provide recommendations for data processing methods and reductions
• Establish data exchange and archival formats
• Define and implement fundamental geopotential reference systems
• Evaluate and recommend relevant auxiliary geophysical models
• Facilitate the provision of digital elevation models and density values for gravity field determination and modeling

The CB should coordinate activities related to

• the design and realization of global absolute and superconducting gravimetry networks, with special emphasis on co-located sites for GGOS and regional densifications
• the facilitation and coordination of regional gravity field determination and data exchange projects in order to improve medium to short wavelengths (e.g., Arctic and Antarctica)
• the definition and realization a global vertical datum
• the integration of terrestrial, airborne and satellite measurements in practice
• the improvement of the use of satellite-derived DEMs for gravity field modeling
• the evaluation and calibration of satellite-derived temporal gravity field variations as well as the improvement of processing of satellite data
• making gravity data, geopotential models (static and time-variable), geoid estimates and other gravity field related products available for general use
• public outreach on the Earths gravity field by
  • Organizing meetings and schools on gravity, geoid and related geophysics
  • Making software and tutorials for gravity and geoid analysis available
  • Establishing and maintaining a web site with links to IGFS Centres

High Level Tasks

The IGFS CB high level tasks are as follows:

• provide the link between the IGFS entities, IAG, and external projects, networks or organizations (oceanic, atmospheric, hydrologic, …)
• Provide link to the GGOS bureau and communicate their requirements and recommendations to the IGFS
• Implement standards and recommendations related to gravity field observations, secure consistency with geometric standards, and promote
  their use within the geoscientific community

Organization

The IGFS CB organization and responsibilities are organized such that:

• tasks of permanent nature concerning all IGFS shall reside within the Central Bureau. Tasks of temporary nature may be delegated to ad-hoc committees
• the IGFS CB will be headed by a Director, and will have a secretariat to provide administrative, communication and web support
• the IGFS CB will include such expertise as is necessary to conduct Bureau business and provide guidance and oversight to the supporting entities
• dedicated working groups and analysis may be set up for specific issues dealing with particular aspects of gravity field related issues
• the Director will report to the IGFS Directing Board and the IAG Executive Committee. The Director forms together with the IGFS Chairman and the head
  of the Technical Centre the IGFS management group.
• the Director of the CB will be a member of the GGOS Steering Committee on behalf of the IGFS

The IGFS CB acts essentially as representative of the IGFS and is liaison to other geodetic and geophysical services, especially to the GGOS entities. There must be a routine exchange of information and regular meetings with representatives of the IGFS. A close contact has to be kept to the GGOS Bureaus for ‘Standards and Conventions’, ‘Networks and Communications’ and ‘Satellite Missions’ as well as the ‘Coordination Office’