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(9 January 2013) MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates today announced the signing of a $706 million contract with the Canadian Space Agency to build, launch and provide initial operations for the Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM).

The contract is expected to extend over a period of seven years and brings MDA’s current backlog to approximately $2.9 billion.

“This is exciting news,” said Daniel Friedmann, MDA’s president and CEO. “RCM builds on the world-leading geospatial and radar surveillance capabilities that MDA has developed through the Radarsat-1 and Radarsat-2 missions. We are now greatly expanding these capabilities with benefits for Canada and for MDA.”

RCM is a constellation of three satellites providing around-the-clock coverage. Information obtained from RCM can include repeat imaging of the same area at different times of day, dramatically improving the frequency of monitoring coastal zones, northern territories, Arctic waterways and other areas of strategic and defence interest. RCM will also incorporate automated identification system technology, which when combined with the powerful radar images, supports the immediate detection and identification of ships worldwide.

Already a leading supplier of radar-based surveillance and security, MDA’s service offering is expected to expand as it leverages RCM’s repeat imaging capabilities. The information provided by the RCM satellites will enable MDA to meet a larger range of recurring monitoring needs in growing market segments such as oil and gas, mining, defence and security, well into the next decade. “Demands in these operational segments are driven by the ability to provide frequent, reliable information. RCM’s all-weather, day-and-night satellites will help us meet this demand,” said Friedmann.

“This is a major step forward for MDA as a leader in the growing global surveillance and intelligence market” said Friedmann. “With this contract, MDA has a strong foundation for continued development of its space missions, satellite ground systems, radar payload and geospatial services businesses.”

About MDA

MDA is a unique global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA’s business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.

MDA’s well-established global customer base is served by more than 5,000 employees operating from 18 offices located in the United States, Canada, and internationally.

(source: MDA)

Policy-makers, industry leaders, scientists and civil society representatives will gather in Brussels on 29-30 January for the fifth high-level conference on EU space policy.

The conference, entitled ‘EU Space Policy: Building up a Global Tool for Global Challenges’, takes as its starting point the fact that satellite navigation, observation and telecommunications systems have become ubiquitous and are affecting almost every aspect of our daily lives. From travel to security, farming to the environment, broadcasting to phoning, there are few areas where satellites cannot reach.

But how can policy-makers foster the technological and entrepreneurial boom while devising a sound regulatory framework? The conference will address the key challenges facing EU space policy: boosting the competitiveness of the EU space industry, promoting the key role of research and development, and ensuring an effective governance of EU space activities.

Leading names in space policy

The conference will feature an exhaustive list of leading names in European space policy, and the breadth of issues covered is reflected in the names taking part. Alongside European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Vice President Antonio Tajani (Enterprise and Industry), Commissioners Michel Barnier (Internal Market and Services), and Cecilia Malmström (Home Affairs) will take part in the conference.

Carlo des Dorides, the Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) will also take part, speaking during a debate on January 30 about the relationship between the European Commission and the various national and European agencies dealing with space policy.

Research, industry and governance challenges to debate

The conference organisers say the debate will challenge speakers on whether the 27 Member States are ready to mobilise the financial resources needed to meet the EU’s commitment with regard to a space policy mentioned in the Lisbon Treaty. The conference has sessions that correspond to the two pillars on which EU space policy is expected to rely on: (1) an industrial policy, and (2) a research and innovation policy tailored to the specificities of the space sector.

In addition to discussing EU space policy, the conference will look at the European space programmes – the Galileo satellite navigation system and the EGNOS signal enhancing system and Copernicus, the European Earth observation programme – along with the EU’s research plans for the 2014-2020 budgetary period. There will also be debates on governance issues, from questions like data management and the future European system for space surveillance and security to broader ones about how, by whom should these different space programmes and initiatives be managed – a particularly tricky issue given the increasing dual use of space services and applications for both civil and defence purposes.

More Information:

EU Space Policy

Source GSA

DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) is one of the world’s fastest growing satellite imagery products and services providers. Based in the UK, we have customers in 100 countries around the globe, supplying both programmed and archived optical satellite imagery from the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC).

We supply imagery for a wide variety of applications, including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping as well as providing free satellite imagery for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters as a member of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’.

Further growth in DMCii services offers new 2.5m imagery; whilst three new satellites are due to provide daily 1m imaging in 2015.

DMCii kicks off 2013 with a move to larger dedicated facilities, and is investing heavily in developing new ways to allow our customers to rapidly procure and receive our imagery through ever higher temporal resolution imaging services.

Mapping the urban sprawl

DMCii’s VHR service offers competitively priced high quality true 2.5m panchromatic and 5m multispectral imagery from NigeriaSat-2.

The NigeriaSat-2 satellite provides rapid response high resolution imagery at a very competitive price. DMCii supplies 20×20km images, or can acquire up to 80×80km in area mode in a single pass. For mapping larger areas, along track imaging up to 200km is possible, enabling rapid coverage of larger areas.

NigeriaSat-2’s 2.5m resolution imagery incorporates the latest developments in geometric calibration and high accuracy geo-location, providing accurate metre-level mapping that can be used to distinguish individual buildings and roads.

Imagery is delivered as L1R product, with geospatial accuracy of a few pixels enabling end-users to rapidly orthorectify to their own reference data.

This has proved an indispensible resource to Nigeria for national land use monitoring and the planning of new infrastructure to meet the requirements of a burgeoning urban population. The satellite also provides data continuity with its 350km wide swath 32m 4-band multi-spectral imagery, as part of the DMC.

For mapping landscapes or urban clutter, stereoscopic pairs are also available.

Contact DMCii at info@dmcii.com to discuss your VHR imaging needs.


New York City, USA. NigeriaSat-2 Image © NASRDA, 2012. All rights reserved.


Salt Lake City Airport, USA at 2.5m resolution. NigeriaSat-2 Image © NASRDA, 2011. All rights reserved.

Maximising crop yields with precision

DMCii’s high revisit, wide area, 22m multispectral satellite imagery provides a detailed view of farm and field that has proved a highly-valued tool for agricultural services and farmers in pinpointing variations in crop growth and condition.

This allows farmers to gain significant yield and cost benefits from variable rate application of fertiliser or crop protection. Because the DMC satellites are operated together as a constellation, they offer much more timely data than a single satellite, delivering rapid revisit opportunities every 1-2 days.

The aim is to maximise crop yield and quality while minimising production costs and environmental impact. For over eight years DMC data has been utilised by specialist precision agriculture companies for this purpose and our data is approved by the US Department of Agriculture which, since 2011, has used DMC 22m data for high temporal monitoring of agriculture in all 48 conterminous States.


The Fen, Cambridgeshire. UK-DMC2 Image © DMCii, 2010. All rights reserved.

Tracking global deforestation

A constellation of Earth observation satellites gives DMCii the unique capability to survey and image vast areas of land and to monitor changes rapidly. DMCii has been employed by the Brazilian Government since 2005, helping the authorities to quantify deforestation in the Amazon Basin and pro-actively intervene to deter illegal logging. Brazil has cut deforestation rates by 78% since 2004 and satellite data has played a significant role in this. The Brazilian Space Agency receives imagery directly broadcast from our UK-DMC2 satellite at its ground station in Brazil which is made available through its website enabling the general public to follow progress against deforestation.


Mato Grosso, Brazil. UK-DMC2 Image © DMCii, 2012. All rights reserved.

DMCii provided high-frequency imagery of Argentina for use in Geodan’s Earthwatchers crowdsourcing platform. Earthwatchers gave students an active part in stopping deforestation by giving them each access to DMCii imagery of an area of forest to monitor for changes. Due to the frequency and transparency of DMCii imagery, and the ability to monitor vast areas through crowdsourcing, Greenpeace Argentina successfully lobbied the local government to halt deforestation and protect the forest.

In September, DMCii launched a ground-breaking project with support from the UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, to provide more accurate and reliable information about land carbon storage and how it changes over time. This initiative will provide scientifically validated carbon market intelligence and an automated Monitoring, Verification and Reporting (MRV) system to help organisations in their efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation. This system is designed for use in supporting REDD+ initiatives and aims to significantly reduce the transaction costs incurred in trading forest based carbon.

Daily 1m imaging service

DMCii also pioneers a VHR capacity leasing service, whereby our customers can lease image capacity from a DMCii-owned and operated satellite. Under this system, customers can carry out planning and tasking without the complexity associated with procuring and operating a satellite constellation.

In 2011, DMCii signed a £110m deal with Beijing-based company 21AT, to lease 100% of the imaging capacity of three high-resolution satellites that are to be launched into a new Earth Observation constellation “DMC3”. The DMC3 satellites are being built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and will provide daily revisit with 1m panchromatic and 4m multi-spectral imagery. The use of the constellation will allow rapid imaging and revisit to effectively monitor the phenomenal rate of urban development in China’s cities.

The daily 1m service will be commercially available worldwide and, through DMCii, you can secure your data supply prior to launch of the system in 2014.


Fire in the Niger Delta, Bayelsa, Nigeria. UK-DMC2 Image © DMCii, 2012. All rights reserved.

DMCii is a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, and part of EADS Astrium NV.

Contact:

  • Paul Stephens, Sales & Marketing Director, DMC International Imaging Ltd.
    Tel: +44 (0)1483 804299 Email: p.stephens@dmcii.com
  • Martin Philp, Sales Manager, DMC International Imaging Ltd.
    Tel: +44 (0)1483 344820 Email: m.philp@dmcii.com
    www.dmcii.com

We at Chelys are proud to announce the availability of two new SRRS real-time processors:


  • MetOp AVHRR/3 (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer)
  • SuomiNPP VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite)

Fully integrated in the SRRS infrastructure, the new processors boast amazing performances and stunning image quality.

Here below are some examples of images generated by the new AVHRR/3 and VIIRS processors:

In the meantime, we are developing incredible new Sentinel processors for data from S1/CSAR (C-Band SAR Instrument), S2/MSI (MultiSpectral Instrument) and S3/OLCI (Ocean and Land Colour Instrument).

Source Chelys

You will find here (http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalRisks_Report_2013.pdf) the latest issue of the “Global Risks” report of the World Economic Forum (will be officially presented at the next World Economic Forum Annual meeting in Davos).

Note in particular the a full page is dedicated to space (p. 34 “Bringing Space down to Earth”), ending with the conclusion that “Through their ability to see and speak to all corners of the world, land, air and sea, satellites are enablers that strengthen our resilience to a wide range of global risks. Broader awareness of this fact is needed to ensure that our critical space-based infrastructure is managed sustainably and that we do not underestimate the potential impacts if these critical systems fail.”

(Source Eurospace)

At the end of 2012, EUROSENSE was awarded by the Flemish Geographical Information Agency (AGIVFGIA) with a large LiDAR and orthophoto-project in Flanders.
Also three additional tree inventory projects have been awarded to EUROSENSE.

EUROSENSE awarded with large LiDAR and orthophoto-project in Flanders

As an update of the digital terrain model (DTM) of Flanders created more than 7 years ago, the FGIA tendered a LiDAR-project on the entire Flemish and Brussels Capital Region, divided into 7 parcels. The project consists in a LiDAR-data acquisition during the leafless season with a point density of min. 16 points per m² (8 points per m² with at least 50% sidelap) and a simultaneous image acquisition with a GSD of at least 10cm. The LiDAR-data needs to be processed into an accurate DSM and, after filtering, into a DTM providing detailed information on the (micro)relief in Flanders. The acquired imagery needs to be processed into a detailed orthophoto with a GSD of 10cm.

Each supplier could submit an offer for maximum 4 parcels and EUROSENSE has been awarded with the 4 parcels for which it offered. In total, the awarded parcels comprise 10.458 km² or ca. 60% of the entire project area (Flanders and Brussels Capital Region, including buffers). The flights need to be executed over three winter seasons of which the first season already starts on the 15th of January 2013.

EUROSENSE broadening their tree inventory services

At the end of 2012, EUROSENSE was awarded with three additional tree inventory projects in Belgium. This means that in the coming year EUROSENSE will assess the health status of ca. 40.000 trees using a combination of terrain work and remote sensing.

An overview of the recently awarded projects:

  • East-Flanders and West-Flanders: inventory of trees along national roads. This includes the positioning of trees (by Mobile Mapping), dimension measurements, Visual Tree Assessment analysis (VTA), creation of a GIS database and maps.
  • The Brussels Institute for environment (BIM/IBGE): a complete inventory of all parks is to be set up, including the positioning of trees, dimension measurements, VTA analysis and a GIS database. Additional information for dangerous trees is gathered by resistography, tomography and traction tests. The overall aim is to determine a tree policy by creating a management plan for each park with clearly defined measures for every tree.

Contact us for more information
EUROSENSE BELFOTOP N.V.
Nerviërslaan 54
B-1780 Wemmel, BELGIUM
http://www.eurosense.com

(November 2012) GAF AG, together with the Institute for Environmental Security (IES), the Bonn International Center for Conversion (BICC) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) are pleased to announce the launch of the SYMIN Project’s new website: www3.gaf.de/symin. The website aims to showcase how Earth Observation (EO) can assist mining authorities with the regulation of informal mining activities through the detection of informal mining sites.

The SYMIN Project focuses specifically on five pilot areas in Afghanistan which are rich in coal, gold, gemstones as well as quarries. It is demonstrated that satellite-based remote sensing can be an efficient tool for area-wide mapping and monitoring of informal mining activities in remote, poorly accessible or security sensitive areas.

Based on very high resolution (VHR) optical images data, stereo data and radar-based coherence analysis, together with other geo-data such as mining cadastre information, our team is able to extract information such as the location and description of mining activities as well as the presence of infrastructure.

This information is then used to create up-to-date reconnaissance maps and dossiers with a description of current mining activities in order to facilitate the work of in-situ mines inspectors.
Dr. Stefan Saradeth – GAF Director of International Consulting – comments: “GAF offers globally a comprehensive service package to mining authorities – this includes capacity building and consulting, training and know-how transfer up to geoinformation- and software solutions. SYMIN combined with our new mobile GIS offers exciting new options for mining inspectors.”

Picture: ASM Gold mining activities overview map, including formal license area (image not to scale).Credits: GAF AG

It is hoped that the SYMIN website will contribute to raise awareness on the possibilities offered by satellite-based remote sensing for the detection and monitoring of informal mining activities aimed at law enforcement agencies dealing with remote and sensitive areas throughout the world.

Contact us
GAF AG | Tel. +49 (0) 89 12 15 28 0 | www3.gaf.de/symin | info@gaf.de

Notes

  • 1 The SYMIN Project is entitled “System for monitoring law enforcement of informal mining”.
  • 2 The project covers a range of settings with artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) for metals, coal, gold, gemstones as well as quarries in several selected pilot areas. Cases are selected from GAF’s international activities within the mineral resources domain.
  • 3 Artisanal and small-scale mining is largely a poverty driven activity and is typically practiced in the poorest and most remote rural areas of countries by a largely itinerant, poorly educated populace with little else available in the way of alternative employment. Today, an estimated 13 million people in about 30 countries across the world are small-scale/artisanal miners, with about 80 – 100 million people depending on such mining for their livelihoods. ASM can be environmentally damaging and often has serious health and safety consequences for workers and surrounding communities. Many of the potential economic benefits of the small-scale mining sector are also lost as a result of poor practice with regard to mining, processing and marketing. The compiling of an inventory is a first step towards regularizing the sector, i.e. the enforcement of health, safety and environmental standards and the collection of royalties. Governments can then also grant operators proper legal title and provide technical, marketing and training support.
  • 4 The project is funded under the European Space Agency (ESA) “Timely Situation Awareness for Law Enforcement and Intelligence Application” contract, which forms part of the Value Added Element (VAE) programme. The purpose of the VAE programme is to support industry in the use of earth observation data. The project started in autumn 2011 and is scheduled to run for 18 months.

About GAF AG – Germany www.gaf.de
GAF AG, an e-GEOS, Telespazio company, is globally active and has an international reputation as an experienced provider of project design, management and implementation services in the fields of geo-information, satellite remote sensing, spatial IT-consultancy and capacity building for private and public clients. GAF provides solutions in the sectors of mining and geology, natural resources, water and environment, security, land and renewable resources. Over the past 27 years, GAF has been active in more than 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.

The Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI) is hosting ‘Innovations in Remote Sensing’ on January 23rd 2013. This event will provide a great opportunity to catch up with the latest Earth observation instrumentation technologies, as well as highlighting potential areas for licensing, collaboration or supply.

The CEOI has a vision to develop and strengthen UK expertise and capabilities in Earth observation (EO) instruments and works to position the UK to win leading roles in future international space programmes. The programme supports mainstream projects and smaller ‘seedcorn’ projects, both selected through Open Calls to the EO community. However, although the technical drive has been to produce instruments for space, in many cases the resulting technologies have non-space applications. A number of sectors which could be potential beneficiaries of such technologies include healthcare, defence and security, analytical instrumentation, marine industries and environmental.

The event is open to all interested parties and aims to:

  • Highlight collaborative opportunities emanating from remote sensing technologies in space
  • Outline the particular needs in Earth Observation for spin-in technologies
  • Showcase a number of CEOI projects

The format for the day will include a schedule of formal presentations – outlining technology needs and collaborative opportunities for several of the CEOI projects. Another key feature will be the exhibition element, showcasing CEOI projects, which starts at lunch time.

The event will take place at the NUT, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1 9BD (Kings Cross or Euston tube stations). It will start at 10.00 and is scheduled to finish at 16.00, with refreshments including lunch being provided. Click here for map and directions.

Participation is free. To register and for further information, please visit the CEOI website

Job vacancy at Geoville Group

We are looking for a self-motivated, team-oriented project manager with sales background to join our team in Innsbruck for working in international projects related to satellite Earth Observation and geographic information systems. Specifically, the position is situated in the commercial department and will cover high level administrative support to project management and acquisition as well as proposal writing and preparatory sales activities.

The ideal applicant has a proven track record in international business and project management support in the Earth Observation and GIS industry and should have more than 5 years of working experience after graduation.

  • Min. 5 years working experience after graduation
  • Proven record of working in and managing sizeable projects on large spatial & temporal scale
  • In depth knowledge of remote sensing, GI technology and applications
  • Excellent experience in project management and proposal writing, experience in sales, acquisition and promotion advantage
  • Experience with market development and/or international organizations eg.ESA, NASA, EC, EEA, WDB, EIB ADB, etc. of advantage
  • Excellent command in English and German, other EU language advantage
  • Excellent writing and reporting capabilities
  • Excellent presentation and communication capabilities
  • Willingness to travel (also international), motivation skills and team leadership an asset
  • Applicants form related industries, such as engineering, geo-products and IT are welcome !

GeoVille Information Systems is an internationally operating company providing consultancy, services and products related to satellite earth observation, geo-information and geographic information systems.

GeoVille provides a wide range of value-added services in the land domain with focus on urban, regional and spatial planning as well as environmental monitoring, forestry and agriculture applications.
Since its establishment in 1998, GeoVille has established a broad international customer base and successfully participated in more than 250 national and international projects located in 75 countries around the world. GeoVille’s team has experience and expertise in managing and executing projects in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our customers stem from private industry sectors, public organisations, research institutions and international organisations. Registered offices are in Innsbruck, Austria, and Niederanven, Luxembourg.

At present, GeoVille is employing a staff of more than 35 experts and consultants graduated in Earth sciences and informatics. All of our staff members are holding MSc grade or equivalent, and 30% a PhD title.

GeoVille is an ISO 9001:2008 and 14000 certified company and offers an attractive work environment in the city centre of Innsbruck, Tyrol, and a competitive entry salary in a growing high-tech market.

Please visit our website (www.geoville.com) for more information and send your CV with a covering letter outlining how your experience and interests match our requirements to
Dr. Andreas Walli
GeoVille Information Systems GmbH
Sparkassenplatz 2, 3rd floor
A – 6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Tel: +43 (0)512 56 20 21-0
Fax: +43 (0)512 56 20 21-22
Email: info@geoville.com

A satellite processing platform for high resolution forest assessment

Preface
The FORSAT project is a research project co-funded by the national funding authorities of the participating countries under EUROSTARS and the European Commission. The consortium met on 29.11.2012 in the kick-off meeting, hosted in Nicosia, Cyprus.

The concept
The aim of project is to raise the current technological level of aerial imagery in combination with airborne laser scanning for forest cover mapping applications to a standalone satellite based monitoring capacity. Specifically, the project aspires to transfer the existing precise processing capabilities of airborne techniques to VHR optical, stereographic satellite data, thereby providing a single source forest information solution. The envisaged FORSAT platform will enable high resolution thematic mapping of forest areas along with canopy height, thereby allow derivation of forest volume. Based on historical data, the system will allow automatic change detection of forest / non-forest areas along with change in forest volume. The FORSAT functionalities, accuracy, capacities and applicability to specified market segments shall be tested, improved and benchmarked.

We aim to test the capacity and benefits of FORSAT to European champion users in Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey, by executing 6 application case studies. This will generate the necessary facts and needed trust of other public bodies and private organizations to use VHR satellite data for many forest information needs, which do not require centimetre accuracy. Finally, the project shall develop the marketing strategies and business agreements among the partners (and future service providers) for the sale of the FORSAT platform and the accompanying services.

In summary, the direct objectives of the proposed project FORSAT are to:
1. develop and validate a VHR satellite imagery based processing suite and dedicated application solutions products (FORSAT 3D software suite and FORSAT 3D Forest Geo-Products);
2. test user required applications with viability for future operation and prospect for wider service uptake to the European market;
3. set the business framework and promote the developed capacity to provide VHR satellite based forest assessment solutions.
The results of FORSAT will provide single source, flexible forest information solutions with a very competitive price/quality ratio, allowing for new market entry in the forest sector. The project is conceived as a fully user driven project and the consortium setup ensures know how transfer between the European EO software development and service application industry.

Other related info

  • Starting Date: November 1, 2012
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Initial budget: 1.642.280,00 €
  • Website: http://www.forsat.eu (under construction)
  • Coordinator: Dr Stratos Stylianidis[stratos@geoimaging.com.cy]
    GeoImaging Ltd, Cyprus
  • Code: E!7358
  • Funding scheme: EUROSTARS

Partners

  • GeoImaging Ltd, Cyprus
  • 4DiXploer AG, Switzerland
  • Ekinoks Surveying Software Eng Ltd. Co, Turkey
  • Ingeniería Y Soluciones Informáticas S.L., Spain
  • GeoVille GmbH, Austria