Skip to content

The central theme for the World Expo in Shanghai from 1 May to 31 October 2010 will be urban development, under the banner “Better City, Better Life”.

To mark this event, Spot Image and its Chinese subsidiary Beijing Spot Image present two Flash animations to tell the story of Shanghai’s growth with satellite imagery.

Images

Expo 2010 Shanghai: expo site evolution …The Expo 2010 site covers 5.28 sq.km in the centre of Shanghai, on both sides of the Huang-p’u River. From 1994 to 2010, the SPOT satellites depict urban change as the future city takes shape. Factories, docks and shipyards give way to innovative architectural creations from numerous countries.

Shanghai: evolution of the city from 1994 to 2010 …From 1994 to 2010, the SPOT satellites reveal the rapid growth of a city that today generates 20% of China’s industrial production and has become the world’s number one port. In 15 years, the farming belt has disappeared.

Chollian communication, oceanographic and meteorologic satellite successfully launched

South Korea’s first geostationary ocean weather satellite has been launched into Earth’s orbit from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana on 27 June, the government said Sunday.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said the Chollian communication, ocean and meteorological satellite blasted off from French Guiana on an Ariane 5-ECA rocket at 6:41 a.m. (Korean Time) after encountering minor technical problems on Thursday and Friday. The satellite successfully reached orbit and separated from the second stage rocket roughly 32 minutes after takeoff, the ministry said.

The 2.5-ton satellite is Seoul’s first geostationary ocean weather satellite that will stay fixed in orbit and is designed to give the country timely and accurate data on weather and oceanographic information over Northeast Asia and act as a communications satellite.

Seoul spent more than 354.9 billion won (US$295.4 million) and took eight years to build the high-tech satellite that is designed to be in operation for seven years.

Credits: Space Mart / Yonhap

(28 June 2010) ERDAS: Earth to Business News 6/10. Next Edition of Earth to Business: The ERDAS E-Newsletter! To provide you with useful information, including significant ERDAS announcements, customer success stories and feature tips in this monthly e-newsletter.

Increasingly, geospatial information is being used to drive decisions in large organizations. In the past, geospatial technology companies focused on developing and providing solutions to data providers, geospatial service providers, airborne sensing organizations, national mapping agencies, state mapping agencies, DoD/National Programs and the natural resources sector. However, as geospatial technology capabilities have increased, more organizations outside this traditional geospatial customer base are discovering the offerings, with increasing interest in integrating this technology into their organization’s existing enterprise business system.

ERDAS“http://www.erdas.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RkVyIJ7QyP8%3d&tabid=178&mid=755

Inspire recent News


INSPIRE Conference presentations – on-line

The presentations made at the INSPIRE Conference in Krakow, 22-25 June 2010, can now be accessed on the INSPIRE Conference site

Date: 01/07/2010
Link

Draft COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) amending Regulation (EU) No …/2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services published

Draft COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) amending Regulation (EU) No …/2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services has been publish

Date: 22/06/2010
Link=

Updated version of the INSPIRE Generic Conceptual Model published.

An updated version of the INSPIRE Generic Conceptual Model (v3.3 of D2.5) has been published.

Date: 18/06/2010
Link

Revised INSPIRE Metadata Technical Guidelines published

A revised version of the INSPIRE Metadata Implementing Rules: Technical Guidelines ( Version 1.2) have been published, along with a document outlining the changes introduced to Version 1.1.

Date: 17/06/2010
Link

Schema Transformation Network Service: State of the Art Analysis published

This report documents leading technologies and existing standards relating to Data Model Transformation and Network Services that are considered relevant to the provision of Technical Guidance to the requirements of the INSPIRE Transformation Network Service (TNS).

Date: 10/06/2010
Link

INSPIRE : Good Practice in data and service sharing

This document provides examples of existing good practice on data sharing for three scenarios: for Member States with the Community institutions and bodies, between Member States, and between public authorities within a Member State. Although the implementation of INSPIRE is still in its early stages, Member States and public authorities have been sharing data for much longer. Their experiences can be an inspiration for implementing INSPIRE, as they often embody the general principles which are now in INSPIRE.

Date: 03/06/2010
Link

Logica to lead the operational integration, verification and validation (OIVV) of the European Space Agency’s Earth observation data systems.

Logica has announced that it is to provide information system technology services for the next three years to the European Space Agency (ESA) for use at its ESRIN establishment in Frascati near Rome. The deal worth 7.5 million Euros will see Logica take on responsibility for operational integration, verification and validation of the ESA’s Earth observation data software. ESA will benefit from greater uptime and reduced administration costs through outsourcing the management of the highly complex testing and upgrade process. Logica will work as the prime contractor supported by Elsag Datamat and Siemens as sub-contractors.

ESA provides Earth observation data to a vast network of scientists and researchers across Europe. The importance of Earth observation data has grown as more and more international and national agencies recognise its many uses. The increased interest in the information has meant that ESA has expanded its capabilities over recent years and now operates over 100 separate systems to acquire, process and disseminate data to users. With such complexity ESA required a supplier that could effectively manage, test and monitor software upgrades and new applications prior to placing into a live environment, thereby ensuring maximum uptime for these mission critical systems.

Stuart Martin, Logica’s Space Business Director, said: “Logica is delighted to be delivering this mission-critical service for ESA to ensure the integrity of the operational systems used for Earth observation. This contract marks a significant step in Logica’s growing relationship with ESA’s Earth observation programme. Our aim is to help ESA outsource its routine IT activities such as system integration and testing, leaving its staff with more time to focus on their core business.”

The Operational Integration, Verification and Validation (OIVV) contract gives Logica responsibility for ensuring that all of the software systems used by ESA and its partner receiving and processing centres are thoroughly tested and validated before they are introduced to the live, operational environment. In a first for ESA the OIVV activity will be delivered as a fully outsourced service, governed by a robust service level agreement.

This contract builds on Logica’s commercial information systems integration and testing experience across many industrial sectors, and specifically in large satellite ground segment integration programmes such as the UK Skynet 5 management segment.

The OIVV contract commenced on the 1st April 2010, and will run until the 31 July 2013, with the option of a further two-year extension.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About the European Space Agency

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.

ESA is an international organisation with 18 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.

ESRIN is ESA’s centre for Earth observation based in Frascati, south of Rome, Italy. It manages the ground segment for ESA and third-party Earth-observation satellites, maintaining the largest archive of environmental data in Europe, coordinating over 20 ground stations and ground-segment facilities throughout Europe and cooperating with another 20 foreign ground-segment operators worldwide. It is home to ESA’s Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

More information is available at www.esa.int

About Logica
Logica is a business and technology read service company, employing 39,000 people across 36 countries. The company delivers business consulting, systems integration and outsourcing across all industries and business functions. Logica creates value by successfully integrating people, business and technology to create effective, sustainable business ecosystems. Employees apply insight to create innovative answers to help with business needs.

Press contacts
Rima Awad – Head of PR and Media Relations, Logica – rima.awad@logica.com
07_799 _477 _158

Nadia Nandi – UK PR Manager, Logica –
nadia.nandi@logica.com
07_921 _932 _363

Dieter Isakeit – ESRIN Corporate Communication Office, European Space Agency, Frascati (Rome)
Dieter.Isakeit@esa.int 39 _06 _941 _80 _950

News from May to June 2010


(Jun 16, 2010) KSPT MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP system to exactEarth Ltd, Canada

Kongsberg Spacetec has signed a contract to deliver one MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP (High Rate Demodulator & Front End Processor) to exactEarth Ltd. The system supports V 35 descrambling.

exactEarth is based in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, and is a subsidiary of COM DEV International Ltd.

MEOS™ Data Capture HRDFEP is a high performance data receiver, acquisition and telemetry processing system for the most demanding professional users, developed to bring all your data safely home, always. This mission statement translates into the key properties of all MEOS Capture products: Performance, Reliability and Flexibility.

MEOS™ Data Capture product information are available here

For more information about the customer: exactEarth Ltd and COM DEV International Ltd

(Jun 09, 2010) News Item KSPT MEOS™ Control to Kongsberg Satellite Services for Svalbard

Kongsberg Spacetec has signed a contract with Kongsberg Satellite Services to deliver a MEOS™ Control system to support operations of a new KSATs antenna system on Svalbard (SG25).

One MEOS™ HRDFEP and three command recorders are also included in the contract.

MEOS™ Control is Kongsberg Spacetec’s product for Ground Station monitoring and control. A Ground Station often consists of a number of specialized units, e.g. demodulators, modulators, antenna control units (ACU), converters, switch matrices, etc. Instead of handling these units as stand alone units, MEOS™ Control integrates them into one overall system, with a common GUI and a common API for remote operations.

The MEOS™ Capture HRDFEP is a high performance data receiver, acquisition and telemetry processing system for the most demanding professional users, developed to bring all your data safely home, always.
This mission statement translates into the key properties of all MEOS Capture products: Performance, Reliability and Flexibility.

For more information about the customer: Kongsberg Satellite Services

(May 23, 2010) News Item KSPT MEOS™ Polar system installed at Oman Meteorological Department

Kongsberg Spacetec has delivered a MEOS™ POLAR receive and processing system to Meteorological Department Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Meteorology Civil Aviation Affairs for reception and processing of NOAA, METOP and EOS satellites.

The MEOS™ Polar ground station system is Kongsberg Spacetec’s multi-mission, flexible and modular turnkey system for acquisition, archiving, processing, analysis and distribution of meteorological data.

For more information about the customer: Oman Meteorological Department

(May 18, 2010) News Item KSPT upgrade of MEOS™ Polar and MEOS™ GEO in Kuwait

Kongsberg Spacetec has upgraded the MEOS™ POLAR and MEOS™ GEO systems in Kuwait for NOAA direct reception and MSG Eumetcast reception.

The MEOS™ Polar ground station and the MEOS™ GEO system is Kongsberg Spacetec’s multi-mission, flexible and modular turnkey system for acquisition, archiving, processing, analysis and distribution of meteorological data.

Infoterra News


(07 July 2010). ESA Interface to TerraSAR-X Ground Segment is Operational: Maximum Efficiency of TerraSAR-X Data Delivery for ESA’s GMES Users Secured

Friedrichshafen, July 7, 2010 – Earth observation data experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and its user community can now rely upon a very efficient access to TerraSAR-X radar satellite data. Infoterra GmbH, the EADS Astrium subsidiary responsible for the commercial marketing of this satellite, has tailored the TerraSAR-X data deliveries to ESA and its GMES users to the specific requirements of the Agency, minimizing administration effort and complying with ESA-specific procedures.
At the same time, Infoterra’s staff has been specifically trained for handling the GMES Space Component Data Access (GSC-DA) Programme requests, ensuring a maximum level of service quality and fast response times. Further, the necessary modifications to the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)‘s TerraSAR-X ground segment have been implemented in parallel.
The adaptation of delivery standards to ESA requirements was part of the first phase of a contract Infoterra received in 2009: a € 2.4M framework agreement covering the delivery of TerraSAR-X radar satellite data to ESA’s GSC-DA user community.

View website
Read press release in english

(6 July 2010) 6 out of 8 Fire and Rescue Services across Scotland now benefit from Infoterra’s SAFEcommand™ mobile solution.

Solution enhances incident operational safety through effective location and risk data management. Provides real opportunity for cross border data sharing

More…

(1 July 2010) Infoterra establishes Symetri Geo business unit to drive sales of ERDAS, Google Earth and Safe Software applications.

Infoterra Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has today launched a new Geographical Software Business Unit – Symetri Geo – focused exclusively on the resale, distribution, and provision of technical and training support for the company’s expanding portfolio of third party geo-software products. Symetri Geo – www.symetri-geo.co.uk

will provide Infoterra customers using ERDAS desktop and enterprise products, the FME desktop and server suite and Google Earth Enterprise with a single point of access for all their geo-software requirements. The business unit will be developing further capabilities to deliver spatial data infrastructure (SDI) solutions that provide INSPIRE compliance. In addition, Symetri Geo will also support customers with a single point of contact to help ensure the success of their geographical data management projects

More…

(21 June 2010). TanDEM-X Launched Successfully: TerraSAR-X twin brought into orbit from Baikonur – Satellite formation will collect data for global DEM

The German radar satellite TanDEM-X was successfully launched from Baikonur, Kazachstan, at 04.14 hrs CET on Monday, June 21, 2010. A first contact with a ground station in Troll was established at 04.45 hrs. TanDEM-X joins its “twin” TerraSAR-X, which has been in operation since mid 2007, in its 514 km orbit. Together, the two satellites will spend three years collecting stereo radar data for a global digital elevation model of the Earth’s entire landmass.

This DEM will feature a relative accuracy of better than 2 meters (10 meter absolute) for a 12 meter grid. TanDEM-X is being implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Astrium GmbH with, funds from the German Ministry of Industry and Technology (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie).

“This successful launch is an important step forward for our company,” stated Dr. Vark Helfritz, Managing Director of Infoterra GmbH, following the successful launch: “Infoterra will be conducting the commercial marketing of this unique global DEM, which will of course be an attractive enhancement of our companies’ portfolio.”

Infoterra GmbH will be responsible for the commercial marketing of the elevation model, which will involve customising the DEM to the needs of commercial users: Infoterra will process the raw data supplied by the satellite system in accordance with specific customer requirements.

This involves removing any remaining spikes (peaks or outliers caused by noise) and offsets (can occur due to radar shadow particularly in mountainous terrain) in the data, and editing the representation of expanses of water (ensuring a uniform water level and the right gradient of river courses).

View website
Read press release in english

(26 May 2010). Infoterra Launches TerraSAR-X ELEVATION Product Suite

Infoterra GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium that holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the high-resolution radar satellite TerraSAR-X, has announced the first element of its TerraSAR-X ELEVATION product suite:
Featuring a 10m grid spacing and an absolute height accuracy of up to 5m, the TerraSAR-X ELEVATION DSM (digital surface model) is now operationally available for areas as small as only 500 sqkm, and up to full regional coverage, worldwide. Particularly the unique reliability of the weather-independent radar sensor makes this an ideal complement to the established Spot Infoterra portfolio of elevation data sets such as Reference 3D, based on SPOT HRS optical data.

View website
Read press release in english

In the next issue of EOMAG, EARSC had the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Lovrencic, Director EUSC some topics relevant to European Earth Observation programme (GMES) and its impacts to the geo-information service provider sector.

The Centre shall, in coherence with the European Security Strategy, support the decision–making of the European Union in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in particular of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including European Union crisis management operations, by providing, as appropriate, products resulting from the analysis of satellite imagery and additional/collateral data, including aerial imagery or in-situ data. What are the key objectives of the Satellite Centre?

The EUSC aims to be the leading provider of high quality and relevant GEOINT products and services in support to CFSP/CSDP; to be an essential partner in the EU geospatial intelligence community; to fully integrate the EUSC’s capabilities into CFSP/CSDP operations, especially with regard to the integration of civil and military planning capabilities at the Council General Secretariat; to play a key role in the security dimension of the EU Global Monitoring for Environmental and Security (GMES) programme in support to the European Security Strategy; and to continue to explore cooperative opportunities where benefits for further improvement in EU crisis response capabilities could arise, as directed by the Council.

The EUSC operates under the auspices of the European Union (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Centre provides imagery analysis and geospatial intelligence products and services to the EU’s political and military leadership. However, could you explain how the EUSC is assisting the European Union and in which fields of operations?

The EUSC responds to requests from the Council of the EU, EU Member States, the European Commission, third states and international organizations such as the UN and NATO.

The EU Common Security and Defence Policy is growing and the EU Satellite Centre is growing with it. A major part of our work consists in supporting the increasing number of EU operations and missions, particularly EUMM Georgia, EUNAVFOR – Atalanta and, recently, EUFOR Tchad/RCA. Apart from this, the Centre receives tasks related to arms control, non-proliferation and treaty verification; counter terrorism; humanitarian aid missions; contingency planning of peacekeeping missions; counter crime and general security surveillance.

The EU Satellite Centre performs technical development activities in direct support to its operational activities, as well as specialised training for its image analysts, including external participants from Member States and Third States. How do you assure this support? Is this support provided alone or with industry alliances?

The EUSC has interdisciplinary project groups consisting of technicians, staff from the Operations Division and end users in order to define operational needs. Furthermore, it has a capability development team looking at what exists on the market and participating in different EU programmes and projects for technical and capability development. The Technical Division integrates and develops the software applications. This can be done with industrial partners or in-house.

As for the training of image analysts, the EUSC has a team dedicated to training of analysts both outside and inside the Centre. Courses offered by the Centre include ‘Initial Training’, Interpreting Industrial Installations, ‘Interpreting Nuclear Installations’, ‘Interpreting Military Forces’, ‘Introduction to GIS’ and a radar course. Due to the increasing demand from outside participants, the Training Unit is growing.

Which has been the most striking progress (in terms of quantity, complexity, institutional experience) as an Operational agency over the last year? And what are the connexions with the stakeholders (Council and Members states?) who are your key customers? Could you elaborate on what these products and services are? Which is your service added value?

The EUSC has experienced a remarkable increase in the demand for products during the last years. This evolution is especially due to the growing number of European Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations. Those missions and operations are in fact the primary beneficiaries of EUSC products together with the Council of the EU. The creation of a unit in support of the Commission programme, ‘Global Monitoring for Environment and Security’ has also influenced the growth of the Centre significantly, both in terms of financial and human resources.

Our products are mostly geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) products, but also imagery intelligence (IMINT) products to some extent. GEOINT comprises the analysis of geospatial information to describe, assess and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on earth. GEOINT data sources include imagery and mapping data as well as collateral data, using all spatial skills and disciplines, including photogrammetry, cartography, imagery analysis, remote sensing and terrain analysis for exploitation. IMINT describes the exploitation of information from satellite and aerial imagery.

Analysis of this imagery by specialists turns information into intelligence for further use. Recent examples of our products include damage assessment in support of the relief efforts in Haiti, and currently a large number of products are related to anti-piracy off the Somali coast in support of operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta.

The added value of the EUSC is that it is the only European Union agency in this field of work, which means that we are a direct source of GEOINT and IMINT for the EU and a complimentary source for Member States. Furthermore, all Member States benefit from this European capacity by automatically receiving a copy of all the products requested by another Member State, the Council of the EU, the Commission or an international organisation, thus saving money and resources.

How do you see the European Earth Observation programme (GMES) related to your mission? And what’s your perception this time of GMES?

The EUSC works for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy and particularly the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. Therefore it is the security part of GMES to which the EUSC contributes. This is why we normally talk about the ‘S’ in GMES when explaining the Centre’s involvement in the programme.

GMES is an important source of capability development from which the Centre, other stakeholders and citizens are benefitting and will benefit even more in the future, once GMES moves into its operational phase. During a recent Board Meeting, three possible roles of the Centre in GMES were discussed: the EUSC as an interface between CFSP/CSDP users and GMES services relevant for the mission of the EU Satellite Centre; the EUSC providing services beyond the sole remit of CFSP/CSDP users; and the EUSC as a coordinating entity for space data access in the field of security (in the longer term).

All Board Members supported the first idea which represents the implication of the EUSC so far, and the further development of the second proposal also received wide support.

At the end of the interview, we would like to ask you for your overall recommendations on the future development of the geo-information service sector, and would like to ask to give some hopefully positive messages to the members of EARSC

The relationship with relevant industrial actors in the fields of earth observation, GEOINT services and provision of data is of great importance to the EU, apart from better integration within the emerging European Union institutions in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy, especially now with the European External Action Service. The EUSC serves as a gateway to a number of national GEOINT actors, both in terms of production of GEOINT products and services and as a meeting platform for national GEOINT communities.

Within this framework, good service provided by European geo-information companies to the Centre is essential. The EUSC is very much interested in working even closer together with providers that can guarantee the highest quality, fast delivery, as well as perfect reliability and have incorporated a strong service orientation. These elements are essential in supporting the EUSC in its CFSP/CSDP mission on behalf of the EU Member States.

I expect that the small tradition of excellent contacts with industry will be strengthened in the future, thus making even better use of the comparative advantages of the European Union and its Member States in this field.

1. Third states are non-EU NATO members and other countries which are candidates for accession to the EU.

Thank you in advance for the elements of contribution to the Interview and for sharing your thoughts and comments with the EOmag readers

Biography Mr. Tomaz Lovrencic, Director European Union Satellite Centre
Mr. Lovrencic has been elected Deputy Director of the European Union Satellite Centre in 2006, and recently reelected for a second mandate. His responsibilities include management of production of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) products, based on satellite imagery, for the support of European Security and Defence Policy operations; relations with EUSC key stakeholders, the 27 EU Member States; and other activities of the EU Satellite Centre where space and security are involved.
As a career diplomat, Mr. Lovrencic served, between 2002 and 2006, as Slovenia’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, with non-residential accreditation to the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of Cuba. Prior to this assignment, Mr. Lovrencic worked as Diplomatic Advisor to Prime Minister dr. Janez Drnovšek (1996-1999) and then as Deputy Director (1999) and Director (2000-2002) of the Slovenian Intelligence and Security Agency, during which time he was also Secretary of Slovenia’s National Security Council.
Mr. Lovrencic received his B.A. magna cum laude in International Affairs from l’Université Américaine de Paris, France, and studied as an exchange student in Cairo, Egypt. He obtained his Master’s degree in Foreign Service, with distinction, from Georgetown University, Washington D.C.. He also did post-graduate studies in the field of international security at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Mr. Lovrencic speaks, in addition to his mother tongue Slovenian, also English, French, Spanish, German, and Croatian, and is presently studying Modern Standard Arabic.

www-eomag-eu_articles_1243_interview-with_dq1vgjme.pdf

I have recently been reading The Black Swan by Nassim Taleb a book that many of you might know. It provides a fascinating insight into how we are incapable of expecting the unexpected. To explain this seemingly obvious statement, Taleb explains how we are conditioned in our thinking to only look for signs that confirm what we already believe. We should really be looking for signs that confirm the contrary ie if we believe that all swans are white, seeing one more white swan only reconfirms our belief and it is only by looking for non-white swans and not finding any can we ultimately prove it is true.

Taleb takes the example first espoused by Bertrand Russell of the chicken that after 1000 days of being fed is reconfirmed in his belief that he will receive food every day by being fed yet another day. However, the farmer, with a different view of the world knows that this natural order is about to change whilst to the chicken, the day of his slaughter comes as quite a shock – a black swan event.

When BP started drilling their well on the Macondo field in the Gulf of Mexico they were not expecting problems only pleasant surprises. They had risk systems in place, safety procedures well rehearsed and yet somehow the well failed, the deepwater horizon rig exploded and one of the greatest environmental disasters in history unfolded with the results still unknown. Every day that BP drilled without accident reassured them that their risk systems were working and yet on 20th April all this changed. This was a Black Swan event for BP.

That one single event can bring down a £200b company is itself a Black Swan and yet how many such possibilities exist in our companies? How good are our own risk systems, procedures? What could bring us down? Most probably for service companies that make up the majority of EARSC members risks are smaller but customers can fail, markets can change dramatically and quickly and we should all ensure that periodically we review what measures we have in place to protect us.

EARSC held its AGM in Brussels on 22nd June and the afternoon was devoted to a workshop on the insurance industry and Geo-spatial information. BP happens to be self-insured so they have their own fund set aside to deal with disasters yet this is rare and Fiona Shaw of Willis Analytics and Dr Haverkamp of MunichRe explained that they have significant needs for geo-spatial information to support their risk assessments for underwriting. This looks to be a market worth exploring further and EARSC will continue to act as a broker and mediator to create opportunities for its members.

The morning was devoted to the agm itself and a workshop looking at GMES. The agm proceeded smoothly; Han Wensink gave an upbeat report on the industry and the activities of the association. Importantly he reported that we are finally near to finding a Secretary General for the Association that will indeed be a major step forward once he or she is in place. The treasurer, Andre Jadot, reported that the finances of the Association remain sound – in no small way aided by the award of the eoVox2 study for which Logica is the prime contractor but which supports directly EARSC in its business.

On GMES, first Norbert Glante Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur of the recent opinion on the Initial services communication. Praised the progress being made by the EC on GMES and welcomed the voice of EARSC as a representative body with which to engage in shaping future legislation.

Then Mauro Facchini, deputy head of the GMES Bureau also welcomed the opportunity to exchange with EARSC and the position paper that we are preparing. This will help greatly in ensuring that the industry role is recognized and reflected in the future actions. He explained that now the initial operations has been approved the focus will turn to governance.

It remains to say that the EARSC board is very positive concerning the future of the industry and the role that EARSC can play to help all its members.


Geoff Sawyer
EARSC Director

www-eomag-eu_articles_1242_editorial-summer-2010_2l5okhrb.pdf