Primeros veinte años de SIRGAS

Abstract

This contribution describes the cornerstones of the first twenty years of the “Geo- centric Reference System for the Americas” (in Spanish SIRGAS), while it pays tribute to the institutions and personalities that made it possible. In chronological order the story includes: the episodes that led to the establishment of SIRGAS and the context in those days; the establishment of SIRGAS95 as the first continental- wide reference frame compatible with the GPS, and the national densifications implemented by the Latin American countries; the actions aimed at maintaining SIRGAS, including the establishment of SIRGAS2000 and the continuously op- erating SIRGAS network; the efforts to establish a continental-wide vertical ref- erence system compatible with the modern technologies; the building of capacities by the establishment of SIRGAS analysis centres in Latin American institutions; and various activities oriented to contribute to the International As- sociation of Geodesy (IAG) “Global Geodetic Observing System”, the PAIGH “2010-2020 Pan American Agenda”, and the “2013-2015 PAIGH-SIRGAS- CPIDEA-GEOSUR Action Plan to Expedite the Development of Spatial Data Infrastructure of the Americas”.