Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station enables the use of up-to-date and reliable geospatial data in Finland.
Metsähovi’s round-the-clock observations are essential for ensuring that geospatial data and positioning are always up to date and reliable in Finland. The observations are also needed to ensure that critical societal functions based on satellite positioning, such as rescue operations, electric power networks, as well as land, marine and air transport, operate flawlessly.
There are fewer than ten stations like Metsähovi on the globe. Satellite positioning and the environmental perception based on it depend on these stations. Together, they form a network that can be used to comprehensively measure and observe the Earth. Metsähovi helps Finland fulfil its role in the maintenance of the global coordinate systems, which is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Thanks to the data produced by the station, Finland attracts major research projects and the best experts.
The research station is located in Finland due to the special characteristics of the country, such as land uplift and its northern location. Observations made in Finland improve security, as Finland itself can ensure the reliability of satellite positioning in its territory.
Ensuring reliable positioning
The data produced by the Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station is needed for satellite positioning. It also allows the determination of the exact time needed for systems like telecommunications networks and stock exchanges to operate. In addition, satellite positioning provides the most accurate information possible about the state of the environment and changes in it, such as the sea level.
Examples of societal functions for which Metsähovi’s observations are of critical importance:
Societal and business functions
- Positioning on land, at sea and in the air
- Rescue services: fire services, the police, ambulances
- Stock exchanges’ monetary transactions and securities trading
- The electric power network
- Telecommunications networks: functional internet access
- The built environment: e.g. the success of bridge and sewer construction projects
- Land ownership/registers: coordinates for plots and properties
Security
- The Finnish Defence Forces
- Space debris monitoring
Research
- Sea level monitoring
- Monitoring of the melting of glaciers and preparing for related effects in Finland
- Monitoring of the state of the environment
- Launching of space rockets
Additional information
Presentation of the Metsähovi Geodetic Research Station
UN Report on the importance of geodetic research stations