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National Spatial Reference System
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[coordinate systems, standards]
Also known by the acronym NSRS. A consistent coordinate system that defines latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, and orientation throughout the United States. The NSRS is currently based on NAD 83 and NAVD 88. It is defined and managed by the U.S. National Geodetic Survey. In addition to the NOAA CORS Network (NCN), the NSRS includes a network of permanently marked stations; an up-to-date, consistent national shoreline; and a set of accurate models describing the geophysical processes that affect spatial measurements.