Historical Development

© IfE / 1974
Prof. Seeber, Prof. Torge an Mr. Muehle in January 1974 on the "Messdach" of the Geodetic Institute (Nienburger Str. 1) with the optical satellite camera K37.
01.11.1963Appointment of Dr.-Ing. Walter Höpke as full professor to the chair of Theoretical Geodesy, University Hannover
10.11.1964The Institute of Theoretical Geodesy is founded with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Walter Höpcke as director
01.09.1968 Appointment of Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Torge as full professor and as director of the Institute of Theoretical Geodesy
26.10.1973 Appointment of Dr.-Ing. Günter Seeber as full professor and as department head of the Astronomy Station
01.10.1982The Institute of Geodesy is founded (based on the Niedersächsisches Hochschulgesetz from 1978, Chair and Institute of Theoretical Geodesy are terminated). Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Seeber and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Torge hold alternatingly the office of executive director.
1996Retirement of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Torge (em.)
Januar-November 1999 Appointment of  Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Hans-Georg Wenzel to the research field Mathematical and Physical Geodesy
Oktober 2001Appointment of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Müller to the research field Physical Geodesy and Space Geodetic TechniquesPhysical Geodesy and Space Geodetic Techniques
Oktober 2006Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Seeber wechselt in den Ruhestand (a.D.)
November 2006Appointment of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Steffen Schön for the research field Satellite Geodesy. The denomination is changed to Positioning and Navigation - a clear indication for the continuous changes and dynamic development within Satellite Geodesy.
2008Based on the successful cooperation with Physics at Leibniz University Hannover and the resulting excellence cluster Quantum Engineering and Space Time Research (QUEST) Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jakob Flury was appointed to the new professorship Geodetic Space Sensor Technology and Gravity Field.

Astronomical Station

The institute's historical development has been described in more detail in several commerative publications on the occasion of special honorary events.

Commemorative Publication 30 Years IfE
PDF, 6 MB
Commemorative Publication 50 Years IfE
PDF, 4 MB
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    TZK measurements in Switzerland.

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    GPS measurements in Antarctica

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    Doppler measurements in Tansania

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    TI4100 receiver

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    Preparations at IfE for a measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Satellite camera

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    Absolute gravimetry in the newspaper: JILAg-3

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    Measurements done in the Gravimetry Lab using a JILAg-3 absolute gravimeter

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    The Earth is opening up right next to the scientists during a measurement campaign in Iceland.

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    Prof. Dr. Torge during a measurement campaign in Iceland.

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    Relative gravimeter measurements in Iceland.

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    Doppler measurements in Venezuela

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    GPS measurements in Iceland

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    Measurement campaign in China

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Doppler measurements in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    Measurement campaign in the Andes

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    Doppler measurements in Tansania

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    The "Messdach", the rooftop lab on the rooftop of the Geodetic Institute

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    Measurement campaign in Iceland

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    Doppler measurements

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    Relative gravimetry

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    Article in the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung" about the measurement campaign in Antarctica

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    GPS measurements in Iceland

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    Prof. Seeber, Prof. Torge an Mr. Muehle in January 1974 on the Messdach (rooftop lab) of the GIH (Nienburger Str. 1) with the optical satellite camera K37.