The Ny-Ålesund Geodetic Observatory was established in 1993, and is operated by the Norwegian Mapping Authority (NMA). The 20 metre radio telescope has been used in the Very Long Baseline Interferometry. An upgrade of the site in Ny-Ålesund will add a twin telescope for the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS) and an SLR system in addition to the existing techniques.
Characteristics of the main telescope:
| geographic longitude: | 11° 52′ 11″ |
| geographic latitude: | 78° 55′ 45″ |
| altitude above sea level: | m |
| diameter telescope: | 20 m |
| minimum elevation: | 2° |
Available observing mode: Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).
Characteristics of the twin telescopes:
| geographic longitude: | 11° 51′ 17″ / 11° 51′ 19″ |
| geographic latitude: | 78° 56′ 36″ / 78° 56′ 33″ |
| altitude above sea level: | m |
| diameter telescopes: | 13.2 m |
| minimum elevation: | 0° |
Available observing mode: Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI), VGOS
Frequencies used:
| Frequency band | Observing mode |
| 2200 – 2370 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 3220 – 3390 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 4800 – 6700 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 8150 – 8650 MHz | 20m VLBI |
| 2 – 14 GHz | 13m IVS VGOS |