National Spatial Reference System

<p>The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), managed by the <a href="/facts/National_Geodetic_Survey/8XhGwogo">National Geodetic Survey</a> (NGS), is a coordinate system that includes <a href="/facts/Latitude/IBYqkjhU">latitude</a>, <a href="/facts/Longitude/HsC61ML9">longitude</a>, elevation, and other values. The NSRS consists of a National Shoreline, the NOAA CORS Network (a system of Global Positioning System <a href="/facts/Continuously_Operating_Reference_Station/MrlAvKU4">Continuously Operating Reference Stations</a>), a network of permanently marked points, and a set of models that describe dynamic geophysical processes affecting spatial measurements. The system is based on the datums <a href="/facts/NAD_83/cCffXjx1">NAD 83</a> and <a href="/facts/NAVD_88/XuS8PeTj">NAVD 88</a>.
</p><p>In 2025 or 2026, the NSRS will be modernized with a focus on <a href="/facts/Global_Navigation_Satellite_Systems/lVgPlF5v">Global Navigation Satellite Systems</a> (GNSS) and <a href="/facts/Geoid/6aR04HQl">geoid</a> use. It will use the following four frames of reference, each representing a <a href="/facts/Tectonic_plate/CvbfSfeC">tectonic plate</a>:
</p>
<ul><li>North American Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (NATRF2022)</li>
<li>Pacific Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (PTRF2022)</li>
<li>Caribbean Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (CTRF2022)</li>
<li>Mariana Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (MTRF2022)</li></ul>

National Spatial Reference System open-in-new

National Spatial Reference System