Size, shape, rotation, and gravity field are fundamental properties of any planetary body. The Chair of Planetary Geodesy is concerned with the determination and the detailed study of these properties, including how they might affect geophysical processes. General science goals are:

• Definition of reference systems
• Determination of rotation parameters, including effects of precession and libration
• Establishment of planetary geodetic control point networks
• Establishment of global and local three-dimensional surface representations
• Creation of geocoded image data and maps