Permanent renewal of measurements of phenomena occuring on Earth sufrace — the main task of geodesy and cartography — is the important element of geodynamic studies of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Insitute of Geodesy and Cartography participates in the program of research led by Polish Academy of Sciences for over 10 years, using conventional geodetic methods, as well as new types of data, acquired from satellite observations and through remote sensing techniques. This activity is evidenced by setting-up astronomical main points close to Hornsund Station in 1958, as well as at Arctowski Station in 1976, where cyclic astronomical and satellite measurements were performed on these points. Geodynamic test site was organized in the Hornsund Region. As a result of these works numerous topographic and thematic maps were produced and many scientific publications were prepared by Institute specialists.

This paper reviews the key studies concerning GNSS positioning and applications conducted at leading Polish research institutions from 2019 until 2022. The review also constitutes a contribution to the national report of Poland for the International Union of Geodesy and Geodynamics (IUGG) presented at the 28th General Assembly of IUGG held in 2023 in Berlin, Germany. In particular, we discuss the advances in theory and applications of relative and absolute positioning, troposphere and ionosphere sounding, smartphone and low-cost GNSS data processing, and other specific studies such as those on satellite antenna calibration and clock stability. In light of these recent advances by the Polish scientific community, continuous progress in GNSS theory and processing algorithms is thought to be maintained in the future, and GNSS applications are expected to continue to proliferate.

The possibilities to improve values of the satellite orbit elements by employing the pseudo-ranges and differences of carrier phase frequencies measured at many reference GPS stations are analysed. An improvement of orbit ephemeris is achieved by solving an equation system of corrections of the pseudo-ranges and phase differences with the least-squares method. Also, equations of space coordinates of satellite orbit points expressed by ephemeris at fixed moments are used. The relation between the accuracy of the pseudo-ranges and phase differences and the accuracy of the satellite ephemeris is analysed. Formulae for estimation of the influence of the ephemeris on the measured pseudo-ranges and phase differences and for prediction of the accuracy of the pseudo-ranges and phase differences were obtained. An influence of the covariance between single orbit parameters on the accuracy of the pseudo-ranges and phase differences is detected.

Bogdan Ney was born on 3 February 1935 in Pinsk. After graduating from high school in Tarnow in 1952, he attended the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow, where at the Department of Mining Surveying he received his MSc degree in 1957. At the same faculty he obtained his PhD degree in 1963 and habilitation in 1977. Two years later he was awarded the title of extraordinary professor of technical sciences, and in 1989 – the title of full professor.

His scientific career started in 1957 at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow working as an assistant at the Department of the Descriptive Geometry, which from 1960 he continued in the Department of Geodesy and Surveying Data Processing. In 1969–1974 he served as the deputy director at the Institute of Mining and Engineering Surveying of the AGH University of Science and Technology in Cracow. His scientific interest focused on the problems of errors in surveying measurements, adaptation of some statistical techniques to the needs of surveying and development of surveying calculation methods, and methods and techniques of inventory, implementation and control measurements in engineering and engineering surveying. In 1974 Bogdan Ney was transferred to the Institute of Geodesy and Cartography (IGiK) in Warsaw for the position of director of the Institute which he held until 1991. In 1986, he was elected a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), and in 2002 a full member of PAS. As the director and then the head of the System Research Laboratory of IGiK he was further involved in research, providing valuable contributions in the following fields: the use of principles and techniques of aerial and satellite remote sensing in various fields of science and applications; general, organizational and economic problems of surveying and mapping as well as related disciplines; spatial information systems; scientific and scientific-technical policy. In 1991–1997 he continued his educational activity lecturing at the Military University of Technology. The entire scientific achievements of Bogdan Ney consist of more than 300 publications, and many presentations on national and international conferences and seminars. His was the author/coauthor of 24 monographs, 6 textbooks and many other scientific reports. He successfully supervised 10 PhD students.

Bogdan Ney had great achievements in organizational and social activities. He was active in numerous committees, councils, societies and associations. In 1998 the Agriculture-Technical Academy in Olsztyn honoured Bogdan Ney awarding him an honorary doctor degree. Bogdan Ney enjoyed widespread recognition of the scientific community due to his high culture, responsibility in carrying out numerous duties, supporting young scientists, outstanding ability to solve conflict situations and sincere kindness towards all people. He was not only a respected scientist and authority, but also a wonderful man, full of tact and warmth, admired and liked by colleagues. Professor Bogdan Ney, age 85, passed away in Warsaw, on 23 March 2020. He was one of the outstanding surveyors with wide reputation in the scientific community.

Over the last two decades, geodetic surveying has seen significant advancements with terrestrial and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) laser scanning, alongside automatic observations being increasingly utilised throughout the construction process.
In the context of dam structures, periodic geodetic displacement measurements are a compulsory component of control measurements and safety assessments. In Poland, however, control measurements have largely remained rooted in traditional techniques such as classic linear and angular measurements and precise levelling. These methods are typically carried out within distinct control networks, i.e. without dual-function observation points and targets. Furthermore, network points (pillars, targets) have often not been renewed since their installation several decades ago, and glass discs, used for crown measurements in the baseline method, frequently face damage.
Changes in property ownership and modifications in environmental regulations are compounded by these issues, which often impede the proper upkeep of the sight line.
The article proposes the adaptation and reconstruction of control networks to incorporate automatic observation techniques, including linear and angular measurements. This approach includes activities aimed at reconstructing and supplementing damaged network structures, modernising the geodetic process of determining structure displacements, and enhancing the accuracy, credibility, and reliability of geodetic displacement measurement results.
The article presents the findings of an inventory assessment conducted on the existing control network infrastructure, focusing on the analysis of displacements for structures with diverse constructions and functions – a concrete dam (class I) and a water damming weir with a water intake. Furthermore, it presents practical conclusions regarding the efficient organisation of geodetic control measurements.