Case study
The FAIR-GNSS project, led by the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB), and in collaboration with Ghent University, applied FAIR data principles to enhance ROB’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data repositories. It transformed decades of GNSS data into FAIR Data Objects with standardised metadata and Persistent Identifiers, making them accessible via APIs and an Open Data Portal. This improved data integration, discoverability, and reuse within the European Plate Observing System.
Problem addressed
The FAIR-GNSS project improved access to, confinement and preservation of ROB’s GNSS data repositories. Initially, procedures were complex and not machine-readable. Metadata and data licenses were lacking, and there was no data citation procedure. The project not only modernised data management of the ROB database, but also responded to user demands and maximised the interoperability and discoverability of GNSS data.
Added value
Revised and improved ROB’s GNSS data repositories based on community feedback.
Accompanied GNSS data files with user-requested metadata, adhering to FAIR data principles.
Created an Open Data Portal with full station descriptions, standardised metadata, and data citation information.
