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Brussels, 21 September 2009. More than 120 delegates representing European institutional stakeholders and industry across the civilian, security and defence domain attended the workshop on ‘Space for Security and Defence’, jointly organised by the European Defence Agency, the European Commission and the European Space Agency in Brussels on 16 September.

Given that effective civil security and defence capabilities are linked to the ability of decision makers to rely on timely, accurate and comprehensive information, the workshop set out to explore common needs in the area of situation awareness with a particular bearing on space.

Key note speakers highlighted the need to deepen the already existing dialogue on space and security among the European Defence Agency, the European Commission, the European Space Agency and the Council Secretariat General so as to address the integration of space systems into the wider ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and NEC (Network-enabled capabilities) domain based on a capability and user-driven approach.

The first Panel provided decision-makers and operational end-users from the civilian security and defence remit with an opportunity to present their view on the role and use of space in crisis management, civil protection and other complex emergencies. Based on their personal experience, panellists from the EU and UN framework underlined their respective needs during military operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief for timely, secure and highly accurate data delivery based on a guaranteed access to relevant Earth Observation and satellite communications assets. Particular emphasis was laid on the aspect of ‘responsiveness’ and the need to deliver relevant information to operational actors on the ground within hours.

The second Panel allowed European institutional stakeholders to present on-going or planned programmatic activities and raise awareness regarding the added value of linking space-derived data into the overall ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and NEC (Network enabled capabilities) architecture. “The space dimension thereby transcends a variety of priorities – not only NEC and ISR but equally domains such as medical support, information management, ISR sensors or wide-area maritime surveillance”, as highlighted by Capability Manager Denis Trioulaire (EDA).

The workshop recognised in particular:
· the growing political momentum and commitment between institutional players to cooperate across the civil security and defence domain with regard to space
· the support by Member States to further look for complementarity among activities at European and national level
· the necessity to develop future space assets in a capability-driven approach responding to clearly stated user needs

Based on such principles, cooperation shall be further developed in a systematic fashion, starting with the following actions:
· The ‘Structured Dialogue on space and security’ among EDA, ESA, EC and the Council Secretariat General shall be strengthened and used as a platform to study the scope and conditions for future dual-use capabilities.
· Based on the mandate received by Defence Ministers in May 2009 on a ‘European Framework Cooperation for Security and Defence research’, EDA will look for synergies with the European Commission as well as other institutional players such as the European Space Agency in the wider area of ‘situational awareness’.
· EDA, the European Commission, ESA and the Council Secretariat General will explore civil-military synergies in the field of Earth Observation, incl. GMES and MUSIS and related standardisation issues, in a dedicated task force.
· The security dimension of GMES shall be further developed.
· ESA’s initiative on a European Space Responsiveness System (GIANUS), linking navigation, satellite communications and Earth observation, among others, into one coherent and user-driven system will be further examined by the other European stakeholders, also in view of synergy and complementarity with on-going activities.
· The European SSA (Space Situational Awareness) System will be further developed as a European autonomous infrastructure based on civilian (ESA-lead) and military (EDA-lead) user requirements, while the European Commission and Council Secretariat General will further provide guidance on governance and data policy issues.

Workshop agenda

ESA Website

DGENTR website

Background Info

Background
Reference

Contact Info
Raquel Patrício Gomes
raquel.patricio-gomes@eda.europa.eu

Beyond Sentinel Data Policy
The EO Data Policy envisaged by ESA proposes a free and unlimited access to Sentinel satellite data. This is expected to stimulate the value added services sector far beyond a successful implementation of operational GMES services.

However, it must not be forgotten that the Sentinels have been designed to ensure data continuity, filling gaps in existing international, national, and commercial missions. Consequently, the successful implementation of GMES services that correspond precisely to the user needs defined in the early stages of GMES, requires a non-discriminatory access to data from all these missions. Thus, a comprehensive GMES data policy needs to go beyond the Sentinels.

A European stakeholder process, involving commercial and public service and data providers, is now required to set up a comprehensive GMES data policy. It is now in the hands of the European Commission, the Council and the Parliament to initiate such an open consultation process to set a fundamental framework.

Access schemes for data and services need to be discussed, opportunities for future EO missions need to be defined. Various options are already successfully established in Europe and the Member States: public satellite missions, the combination of a publicly funded satellite with a commercial data exploitation, or the public procurement of EO data from established commercial data sources. Now is the time to transfer such opportunities into operational schemes via a comprehensive GMES Data Policy.

In a nutshell: data policy considerations must go beyond the Sentinel family. Only a comprehensive, free-of-charge access to EO satellite data leads to operational geo-information services that meet user requirements. A precise fulfilment of requirements and the availability make a GMES service a success. This is the key to high-quality geo-information becoming a “public good”. Based on this, a sustainable EO services business in Europe and a long-lasting global competitiveness can be built.

The European EO Data Policy is only one issue that we will be addressing in the next months. I expect that the continuation of the successful EARSC Seminars, maybe even the organisation of a dedicated GMES event, and the upcoming trade mission planning following the signature of eovox2, are other subjects that we will need to tackle throughout 2010.

Experience shows that, within the strong association of over 80 EO services companies that EARSC is today, we have a good chance of achieving even demanding targets. We will surely play our part in a constructive dialogue within and beyond the GMES framework. This will bring our sector forward for the benefit of all stakeholders involved: user organisations, political bodies, service providers, and – last but not least – the citizens of Europe.

Let me take this opportunity to thank you all for this very fruitful cooperation we are enjoying. I look forward to working within EARSC in the months and years to come.

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With warm regards,
Nikolaus Faller, EARSC Vice-Chairman

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In this issue of EOMAG, EARSC has an opportunity to feature an interview with Mr Richard Eyers to talk about the oil and gas sector and its links with EO downstream services.


INTRODUCTION: SHELL STRUCTURE ON GEO-INFORMATION

1. From the point of view of geo-information, how can EO service industry better understand the oil & gas sector (business structure, strategy, potential growth technologies and prospects)?

For the EO service industry to understand this sector the oil and gas businesses first needs to understand the benefits of using earth observation data. Some companies, like Shell, are already embracing the benefits of using satellite imagery in exploration and other business activities but we could do more. There needs to be more collaboration between the service sector and the oil and gas sector. A good example of this is a radar workshop that I’m working with ESA to organise next year, bringing together key players from the two sectors. The understanding needs to increase from both sides.

2. Could you please introduce how Shell collects, manages and utilises spatial information to help achieve its business goals? And what are the processes and workflows that support those geo-information activities?

The Geomatics group in Shell lead these activities, guided by our own geo-information strategy. I’ll focus on EO data as this is the area where I’m working. We’ve simplified acquisition and licensing as much as possible by working with external service companies to provide data and services to the group. Licensing data appropriately makes sharing much simpler and reduces the risk of duplicated acquisition. As the remote sensing lead in Shell, it’s also my job to follow developments in the EO sector closely, so that we can deploy new technology to the business quickly.
Like many big organisations, it’s taken us time to organise our enterprise raster data management. Getting remote sensing and other raster data into the strategy was the turning point. Rather than develop our own in-house solutions we’ve worked with vendors to identify the technology we need to meet the requirements of our internal customers. Although it has taken time and effort to break new ground, I’ve seen the market changing over the last couple of years, with ESRI in particular putting real focus on enterprise solutions. There is also an increasing emphasis on external services, with more EO data being made available via web map services, which are available for subscription. This gives us access to data without having to manage it in-house. The other way in which we are reducing the amount of data we’re managing is by utilising external hosting, reducing the burden of data management.

COOPERATION & PARTNERSHIP WITH EO INDUSTRY

1. I understand, technology is seen as one of the key differentiators for SHELL, and an area in which the company can gain significant competitive advantage over its rivals,.. could you please comment on the relation with service providers, the main products and services using geo-information?

Shell has a good working relationship with the main satellite operators (for example Digital Globe, Geoeye and SPOT) and I work hard to maintain these connections. These relationships help the operators to understand our business and helps us to make the most of EO technology. I focus on deployable EO and there is also a group in Shell focusing on research which I collaborate with.

2. Is there a role for geo-information community in the oil and gas sector? Could both sectors work together? What type of dialogue mechanism already exists or could take place with the EO service industry?

The two sectors have to work together. I’m fortunate that Shell sees the value of engaging with piers in other oil and gas companies, and in EO, but there needs to be more cross-sector engagement. I’d also hope to see more focus from remote sensing organisations on the energy sector. There are limited opportunities for us to influence EO developments, including new satellites, and we need to make the most of these opportunities by collaborating.

3. In your opinion, what milestones in last two decades have made an impact in the growth of EO downstream products in the oil and gas sector?

This is obviously only an opinion, but I’d say the two biggest milestones are the availability of high spatial resolution imagery, first from optical satellites, and more recently from radar, and Google Earth. Now almost everybody has had some experience of EO data. This translates into a better understanding of what is possible, but also sometimes can set unrealistic expectations. Seeing your house in glorious detail via satellite, doesn’t mean you can see an exploration license with the same level of detail.

4. Please tell us about your opinion on the possible growth of the EO service industry within the oil and gas sector. What trends your foreseen?

There’s considerable unrealized potential for the EO service industry, providing data and flexible access to services. The demand for recent high-resolution imagery will increase, reducing health and safety risks, aiding exploration and development of new resources, particularly if the trend for increasing positional accuracy continues. If we’re going to make the most of the new generation of radar satellites (Radarsat 2, COSMO Skymed, TerraSAR-X) the operators and service providers must help us to understand their potential and develop new applications.
There’s also greater potential for elevation data for remote locations, and for surface deformation monitoring, but this isn’t exploited as much as it could be because of the perceived high cost and long lead-times. The EO service industry needs to work to reduce the complexity of licensing, and cost. As EO data become more accessible, the use will inevitably increase.

5. Where are SHELL geo-information investments (business development opportunities)? And who are the most important stakeholders?

We’re investing in data management, investing in training and in raising awareness of the value of EO internally. I believe that EO has value across the business, and also can help us engage with communities and governments, illustrating our focus on minimising the footprint of activity and maintaining the natural environment.

6. Where is SHELL announcing opportunities for the EO service industry and what can you advice to our members who like to start business with SHELL? Would there be a role for EARSC to help finding potential contractors for doing business with SHELL?

I often receive unsolicited approaches from companies, which I file away for future reference. I’d suggest creating more opportunities to bring EO and oil and gas professionals together for focused and effective engagement. Illustrating capabilities by relevant examples is also very helpful, as this material can also be used in internal education and promotion.

SERVICES

1. Images from remote sensing satellites have been used for geological and environmental mapping since the 70´s . Today, imagery from different sensors is being used to support exploration and production activities within the oil and gas industry…but which satellite sensors you will see relevant to your services? And what type of information can EO service providers supply your sector? what is the added value of those services?

My view on this is simple – in many of the places we work there is little or no quality mapping available and having any remote sensing data available is helpful. I’d hope to see more focus on higher spatial resolution constellations, regardless of spectral resolution or sensor type, to fill in the white space on maps. The minerals sector has demonstrated that multispectral and hyperspectral sensors can provide unique geological and environmental data but the oil and gas sector first needs to realise the value of looking at the surface in black and white, or colour, before it will be ready for more complex data sets.

2. Innovation within the oil and gas sector is usually important, can we (EO service industry and oil and gas) do take actions to bring the research and industry in both sectors together? Do you co-operate with industry to improve and innovate in terms of your products?

As I mentioned previously, I see this as very important and Shell is very active in this. I see excellent cooperation from satellite operators but the service delivery sector needs to engage more effectively. I would rather know that something is new and experimental, so that I can balance the risks, than be promised the world and subsequently be disappointed.

FUTURE & SOCIETY

1. At the end of the interview, here is the opportunity for your final thoughts on the future, what do you see as the task ahead?

The world is more familiar with EO than ever before and the EO service industry and EARSC and the rest of the EO community needs to make the most if this visibility, educating potential consumers about the possibilities, and the limitations of EO.
I see considerable potential from radar sensors, both as a qualitative mapping tool and as a means of quantitative surface measurement. These sensors provide valuable information offshore and onshore and I for one certainly need to better understand how to make the most of the potential.

2. Would you like to give some message to the entrepreneurs interested in helping your company with his long term goals

This might be a hard message, but focus on educating your current and future customers and understanding their needs, rather than selling solutions in search of problems.

3. What do you see as the biggest long-term challenges?

Maintaining the talent pool of remote sensing professionals is essential, as is ensuring that satellite programmes continue to be well funded and accessible to multinationals and to individuals.

Thank you for your time Richard…, and specially for sharing your thoughts and comments with the EOmag readers.

Richard Eyers’s Summary
Team leader and Principal Technical Expert, supporting Shell projects around the world and providing advice on remote sensing and raster data management. Current business focus is on developing remote sensing capability, delivering a Remote Sensing Business Plan and developing a global raster management solution.
Richard Eyers’s Specialties: Data management and publishing, remote sensing, GIS, image processing, spatial analysis, knowledge of satellite image and software vendors

eomag.eu_articles_1034_Interview-with-Richard-Eyers-remote-sensing-consultant-at-SHELL-international-exploration-and-production

GRACE Ltd has performed a thorough survey on Space technologies and applications in Greece.

The study aims to depict a clear picture of the Greek Space sector, including the background, current situation, State policy, actors involved, as well as needs and perspectives. An insight on the general framework of research & technology in the country is provided in order to better highlight the current dynamics and vision for Space in the local context.

As a result of investigations that took place in the 2005-2009 timeframe, the product represents the first all round report dealing extensively and exclusively with the Space sector in Greece.

The survey is addressed to industries, institutions, research establishments, SMEs and any actor or individual wishing to acquire a fresh view on an emerging market.

This report of more than 100 pages will be commercialized in November 2009.

GRACE offers 20% special discount for all EARSC members

For more information on the product please contact:
sales@graceapplications.com
www.graceapplications.com

About GRACE Ltd
GRACE Ltd is an independent technology and consulting services firm established in Athens in 2008 and focusing on directing the benefits of Space to the society and the environment in Greece and the Balkan Peninsula.
The company is a valuable and dynamic partner contributing to local capacity building and progress in the Space industry and its applications.
www.graceapplications.com

Grace_corporate.pdf

Grace_MS_brochure.pdf

MFB-GeoConsulting provides a new, outstanding 3D digital Land Use (Clutter) Map to Telecom Industry to improve radio network planning for the Swiss National Security Board’s POLYCOM Project.

MFB-GeoConsulting GmbH is the main application provider in Switzerland for digital land use (clutter) maps derived from high resolution geodata. Among others, telecom industry is using this source of maps to improve radio network planning. During the recently finished POLYCOM Project, which was running over the last three years, the minimum mapping unit for clutter maps was lowered from a 1om to a 2m grid and extended with the third dimension. As subcontractor of ETAVIS Micatel, financed by the Swiss National Security Board (BABS), MFB-GeoCOnsulting was in charge of improving input basics to new, advanced radiation network models.

With an in-house developed advanced processing chain, MFB-GeoConsulting was able to serve the project partners with a nationwide digital 3D land use map, at an exceptional price-quality ratio. Our production chain is a highly-automated application, using an object oriented image analysis and interpretation approach based on various geodata sets including LIDAR data, SWISSIMAGE, and Spot 5 satellite data. This increases the reliability and efficacy of the traditional processing approaches significantly.

Additionally class labelling was supported through Vector25, and SWISSIMAGE. Hight information was extracted from DTM-AV and DOM-AV Data. The resulting digital 3D clutter map has 19 classes depending on object height, specified by telecom industry an the National Security Board, with a minimum mapping unit of 2m grid size. This means an improved spatial resolution and an extension to the 3rd dimension, compared to previous clutter maps available for Switzerland. The thematic accuracy is >95% and the geometric location accuracy is specified with ±1 pixel size.

Example Zürich; Source: MFB-GeoConsulting

MFB-GeoConsulting – the company for “Solutions in Geographic Imaging” – is a private enterprise located in Messen, Switzerland. We are specialised in products and services related to Earth Observation (EO), Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications and modelling and provide webbased services related to Geodata.

For more information on these services, please contact
MFB-GeoConsulting GmbH
Eichholzstrasse 17 & 23 CH- 3254
Messen, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (31) 765-5063,
Fax: +41 (31) 765-6091
contact@mfb-geo.com
www.mfb-geo.com

Spacemetric integrating DMCii with ESA HMA and DMCii orders UK-DMC2 sensor model

Spacemetric integrating DMCii with ESA HMA

DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) (UK) has contracted Spacemetric to lead the integration of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) of satellites with the Heterogeneous Missions Architecture (HMA) of the European Space Agency (ESA). The HMA infrastructure is being developed to enable the rational supply of satellite imagery within the scope of the European Commission’s Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative.

The integration with the Agency is taking place in two phases. The first is to provide support for the initial version of the GMES Space Component’s Data Access system. This involves implementing interim tools, routines and supporting operations to provide imagery during a transition period. Operations on this basis will begin by the end of 2009.

Meanwhile, the second development phase runs in parallel with the first but is more comprehensive in character. It involves the full integration of the DMC systems with ESA using a number of standard protocols that are in the process of ratification through the Open GIS Consortium (OGC). These will support a highly automated flow of requests and data back and forth between the Agency and the various satellite missions contributing data to the GMES initiative. This development for DMCii will be completed during 2010.

DMCii orders UK-DMC2 sensor model

Spacemetric has received an order from DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) (UK) to develop and calibrate a physical sensor model for UK-DMC2. This satellite has been built and launched for DMCii by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and is the latest in the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). It features a 22-metre multispectral imager designed for wide-area monitoring and mapping applications.

The development for DMCii concerns the definition of a physical sensor model for the UK-DMC2 camera to be integrated into the existing operational Keystone image management system supplied by Spacemetric. The development will enable the full range of Keystone functionality for UK-DMC2 imagery including cataloguing, archiving and product processing. The in-orbit calibration exercise will provide highly accurate values of the physical constants that define the UK-DMC2 camera model, thereby ensuring that image products can be generated with the highest possible geolocation accuracy.

The UK-DMC2 satellite is the sister satellite to Deimos-1, built by SSTL for Deimos Imaging (Spain). Spacemetric is also providing in-orbit calibration of the Deimos-1 sensor model under contract to SSTL as part of the supply of an end-to-end data management system for this satellite.

About Spacemetric
Spacemetric is a Swedish company providing image management solutions for satellite and airborne imagery. Customers include the Swedish National Land Survey, the Swedish Air Force, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. and the European Space Agency.
CONTACT: Ian Spence
EMAIL: is@spacemetric.com
TELEPHONE: +46 8 594 770 83
www.spacemetric.com

Copyright © Spacemetric 2009

October 2nd, 2009. A pioneer in free images distribution by internet of low resolution satellite data, INPE exceeded on Monday (Sept. 29th) the mark of one million images.

A pioneer in free images distribution by internet of low resolution satellite data, INPE exceeded on Monday (Sept. 29th) the mark of one million images.

The free data policy adopted by INPE became Brazil a worldwide model in Earth Observation Field, making the Remote Sensing a tool of easy access. The success of this pioneering initiative has taken other countries, as the United States, to make available free low resolution orbital data.

The free distribution through internet has started in June, 28 2004, with CBERS-2 images. Later on, INPE made possible the free access to historical images of LANDSAT satellites. Presently, the Institute of Remote Sensing Data Center, located in Cachoeira Paulista (SP), has images of satellites CBERS-2 and 2B and Landsat 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 as well, available to anyone in the world who wants to access it.

Out of the total distributed, the CBERS Programme is responsible for 716,889 images. From LANDSAT family was distributed 283,123 images.

Brazil has one of the oldest satellite image sets of the world, due to LANDSAT data it has been receiving since 1973 through INPE’s station in Cuiabá (MT). Launched in 1972, the Landsat-1 was the first orbital remote sensing equipment of earth resources, so that Brazil is the third country to receiving this kind of image, being behind the United States and Canadá only.

The Latin America countries that have been embraced by Cuiabá’s station, are the most privileged ones and pretty soon the African countries also will be able to count on free images of their territories, because a memorandum was executed for the reception of China Brazil Earth Resource Satellite in the Canary Islands, South Africa and Egypt, and, it has been in negotiation the installation of an antenna for Gabão as well.

CBERS DATA

In charge of more than 70% of the free images distributed by INPE, the CBERS Programme was conclusive for spreading out the use of orbital remote sensing. Recently, INPE made a survey to evaluate the level of satisfaction of the users regarding the CBERS image quality as well as the quantity of people hired to work on satellite data.

The survey results let clear that the free image diffusion of satellite images helped to expand in a strong way, the number of Brazilians that make use of the space programme. 15,000 out of the registered users, 3,470 answered the quiz and, from these, 1,100 confirmed to have gotten a help in the making of their paper due to CBERS images availability. Another important discovery of this survey is that more than the half stated that did not use satellite images before having access to CBERS images from INPE.

Responsible for setting up a free access policy, INPE’s director, Gilberto Câmara, considers that “the free data offer, allows a much better earth resources management of our planet, what is important in times of global changes.

For more information please visit www.dgi.inpe.br/CDSR

SOURCE

London (AFP) Oct 1, 2009. Climate change has “potentially huge security implications” and NATO countries should use the alliance as a forum to address the challenges it creates, the new NATO chief said Thursday.

Rising sea levels, droughts and falling food production could spark large population movements and conflict, while the melting of Arctic ice risked inflaming tensions in the region, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

“I think it is within the natural scope of work for NATO to be the forum for consultation and discussion on these issues,” he told reporters following a speech at a joint NATO and Lloyds conference in London.

The melting of the ice cap in particular was likely to cause tensions, as shipping begins in the previously frozen Northwest Passage and competition breaks out for resources that were formerly under ice, he said.

“The fact that new sea routes will be opened for navigating, the fact that we will get easier access to resources in the Arctic, might also increase the scope of competition in the region,” Rasmussen added.

“We known from experience that strengthened competition also increases the risks of tensions. And this is the reason why we have to do our utmost to reduce the risk of tensions and take action in due time.”

Five countries bordering the Arctic — Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the United States — claim overlapping parts of the region, which is estimated to hold 90 billion untapped barrels of oil.

Relations with Russia, which were badly strained after the Russia-Georgia war last year but have improved under the new administration of US President Barack Obama, would prove vital in the region, Rasmussen said.

“With the aim to reduce tensions… in the Arctic region, I think we need cooperation between NATO and Russia and between individual allies and Russia,” he said.

However, Rasmussen — who took over as secretary general in August — said politicians shouldered the bulk of the responsibility for climate-related security, in cutting emissions and preparing for natural disasters.

“Climate change may have potentially huge security implications, but the response cannot be exclusively military,” he said.

SOURCE

Pasadena CA (SPX) Oct 02, 2009. NASA and Argentina’s Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE), with support from the Argentine Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production (MinCyT), have selected additional members of the international scientific investigating team for the Aquarius/Satelite de Aplicaciones Científicas (SAC)-D mission, scheduled to launch in 2010. The new team members include two from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

The joint minimum three-year mission will carry a suite of instruments into space onboard the Argentine-built SAC-D spacecraft. NASA’s sensor, Aquarius, is the primary instrument on the mission.

Aquarius is designed to provide monthly global maps of how salt concentration varies on the ocean surface – a key indicator of ocean circulation and its role in climate change.

Seven CONAE-sponsored instruments will provide environmental data for a wide range of applications, including natural hazards, land processes, epidemiological studies and air quality issues.

NASA and CONAE conducted a joint solicitation and selection of scientific investigations and innovative application demonstration projects using Aquarius/SAC-D observations. NASA selected 15 projects that it will fund over the next four years for a total of $8 million.

CONAE/MinCyT selected 15 Argentine projects with participation of scientists from Chile and Brazil, which will be funded for a total of $1.3 million. An additional 10 proposals were selected from scientists in Italy and Japan.

The primary focus of the selected projects is to prepare the scientific community to use Aquarius/SAC-D observations to better understand the interactions between global ocean circulation, the water cycle and Earth’s climate. Several projects will concentrate on socio-economic applications of the mission’s observations in such areas as fishery management, disease and flood forecasting, and monitoring volcanic eruptions and fires.

The principal investigators for the NASA-funded projects are:
+ William Asher, University of Washington, Seattle
+ Frederick Bingham, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
+ Shannon Brown, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
+ Antonio Busalacchi, University of Maryland, College Park
+ Ichiro Fukumori, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
+ Arnold Gordon, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, N.Y.
+ Thomas Jackson, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Md.
+ W. Linwood Jones, University of Central Florida, Orlando
+ Roger Lang, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
+ William Large, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colo.
+ Nikolai Maximenko, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
+ Rui Ponte, Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
+ Stephen Riser, University of Washington, Seattle
+ Douglas Vandemark, University of New Hampshire, Durham
+ Frank Wentz, Remote Sensing Systems, Santa Rosa, Calif.

The principal investigators for the CONAE/MinCyT-funded projects are:
+ Miguel Bertolami, National University of the Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Chubut, Argentina
+ Marcelo Cassini, National University of Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Carlos Cotlier, National University of Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
+ Dora Goniadzki, National Water Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Raúl Guerrero, National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Haydee Karszenbaum, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Maite Narvarte, Marine Biology Institute Alte. Storni, Chubut, Argentina
+ Alberto Piola, Naval Hydrographic Service, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Gloria Pujol, National Meteorological Service, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Mirta Raed, National University of Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Raúl Rivas, National University of Centro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Cristina Rodriguez, Mariscope Chilena Department of Oceanography, Puerto Montt, Chile
+ Hector Salgado, Naval Hydrographic Service, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Paola Salio, National University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+ Cristina Serafini, National University of Luján, Buenos Aires, Argentina

NASA is providing the Aquarius instrument (which was built by JPL), along with launch services and Aquarius science data processing. JPL manages the Aquarius mission for NASA. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., is providing the Aquarius instrument radiometer. CONAE is providing the SAC-D spacecraft; additional instruments, including optical and thermal cameras, a microwave radiometer and other specific sensors (with participation from Italy, France, Canada and various Argentine institutions); and mission operations.

Launch of Aquarius/SAC-D onboard a Delta II rocket is scheduled for no earlier than May 2010 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

SOURCE

High Revisit Capability Allows for Fast Coverage of Persistently Cloudy Areas…Added to USDA/FAS/OGA/IPAD Prime Vendor Contract…AAMHatch Named Australian Distributor…


RapidEye Takes On A Challenge: Repetitive Coverage In Brazil

Brandenburg / Havel, Germany, October 1, 2009 – RapidEye, the only geospatial solutions provider to own and operate a constellation of Earth Observation satellites, announced today that they will supply the state of Bahia with RapidEye satellite imagery through their Brazilian distributor Santiago & Cintra Consultoria.

“RapidEye has been selected to provide the state of Bahia imagery because of their capacity to return to an area multiple times until a low cloud cover image can be acquired, and because of their high quality satellite data. Bahia is quite difficult to image with low cloud cover, as it is a tropical area, and the five RapidEye satellites are the best system out there to capture these challenging images. RapidEye satellite imagery will provide the state of Bahia with updated land use information for decisions on environmental issues, agriculture and infrastructure. The imagery will be used by multiple organizations and decision makers that are related to territorial planning with a socio economic sustainable approach.” commented Rita Pimentel from SEI – Bahia Government Organization.

“This contractual agreement will provide proof of our system capabilities. We have already delivered 250,000 square kilometers of imagery in September,” commented Michael Prechtel, Head of Marketing and Sales for RapidEye. “It is hard to predict when this area will be cloud free. With the RapidEye system, we can continue to return to the area until we achieve our goal of a low cloud covered image. The successful completion of this project will highlight our advantageous imaging capabilities for frequent monitoring in tropical areas like the state of Bahia and the Amazon area.”

If you are interested in demonstration products (free test data) from Brazil, please visit RapidEye’s website at www.rapideye.de/demo-products or email demoproducts@rapideye.de.

Images of your region or area of interest can be chosen from the expanding collection of imagery in the RapidEye Library by contacting a distributor or RapidEye directly. The Library is continuously growing, with new images being downloaded from their satellites every day. For more information, please contact the company’s website at www.rapideye.de, and www.santiagoecintraconsultoria.com.br, or email an inquiry to sales@rapideye.de.

About Santiago & Cintra Consultoria

Santiago & Cintra Consultoria is a provider of geo-IT consulting services and solutions for many industries, such as government, oil & gas, forest and agriculture, environment, telecommunication, utilities, mining, education and others. For more information about S&C Consultoria or its products and services, please visit www.santiagoecintraconsultoria.com.br.

For more information about SEI – Bahia Government Organization, please visit www.sei.ba.gov.br.

RapidEye Added to USDA/FAS/OGA/IPAD Prime Vendor Contract

Brandenburg / Havel, Germany—RapidEye, the only geospatial solutions provider to own and operate a constellation of Earth Observation satellites, announced today that they are the latest addition to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS), Office of Global Analysis (OGA) and the International Production and Assessment Division (IPAD) Prime Vendor Contract.

Under the contract, RapidEye will provide the four agencies with their levels 1B and 3A satellite imagery products. The agencies will have the ability to order imagery either from RapidEye’s existing archive (the RapidEye Library), or the option of tasking the RapidEye constellation of satellites if an area they are interested in has not been imaged.

Robert Tetrault, IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA, Satellite Imagery Archive Manager, stated, “The use of RapidEye satellite data should allow our crop analysts to use a finer resolution data set. We look forward to testing this imagery to see how it supports our convergence of evidence methodology. The convergence of evidence methodology is used to develop our crop acreage and yield estimates which is vital to our global food security analysis.”

“We look forward to providing multi-temporal, in-season data collection programs to enhance USDA’s crop and vegetation monitoring efforts,” said John Ahlrichs, Vice President of RapidEye. “This contract will give USDA agencies instant access to our imagery for better monitoring and decision making.”

The IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA is responsible for global crop condition assessments and estimates of area, yield, and production for grains, oilseeds, and cotton. The primary mission of OGA is to target, collect, analyze, and disseminate timely, objective, useful, and cost-effective global crop condition and agricultural market intelligence information. One of OGA’s key missions is to provide unbiased commodity estimates and forecasts to create a marketing edge for U.S. producers in world markets (Source: USDA and NASA). The Prime Vendor Contract vehicle allows them to obtain agriculture analysis solutions using satellite imagery and ancillary information quickly and cost effectively.

Derrick Williams, III, Division Director, IPAD, stated, “The purpose of this contract is to promote efficiency. We are making the best use of every taxpayer dollar. The Prime Vendor Contract helps the USDA achieve our goal – which is to have a contract in place that allows us to access products provided by the commercial industry and get the best price and performance possible. The Prime Vendor Contract provides the IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/ FAS/USDA with the best possible imagery based global agriculture analysis solutions at the best possible prices and meets our stringent delivery specifications and our clients needs which range from Global Food Security to Climate Change.”

About IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA:

International Production and Assessment Division (IPAD), Office of Global Analysis (OGA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has the primary responsibility for USDA’s international activities – market development, trade agreements and negotiations, and the collection and analysis of statistics and market information. As such a primary mission of IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA is to target, collect, analyze, and disseminate timely, objective, useful, and cost-effective global crop condition and agricultural production information. The purpose is to provide unbiased commodity estimates and forecasts to create a marketing edge for U.S. producers in world markets. For more information contact Robert Tetrault, Satellite Imagery Archive Manager at Robert.Tetrault@fas.usda.gov or call 202-720-1071.

About Global Marketing Insights, Inc.:

Since 1997, this woman-owned firm, Global Marketing Insights, Inc. provides a wide range of geospatial and remote sensing business planning and market research services, including targeted product/service market studies and competitive market research to government agencies and private sector firms seeking to increase their market share. Global Marketing Insights, Inc. is the prime vendor contract vendor liaison for the IPAD/Office of Global Analysis/FAS/USDA and is the author of the 2005-2015 International Remote Sensing Study and the 2006-2016 Asian Remote Sensing Study, and the 2008-2018 Africa Remote Sensing Study. For more information contact Sherry Loy, Geospatial Market Specialist at: sherryloy@globalinsights.com or 216-525-0600.

AAMHatch Named Australian Distributor For RapidEye Products

Brandenburg / Havel, Germany, September 24, 2009 – RapidEye, the only geospatial solutions provider to own and operate a constellation of Earth Observation satellites, announced today that AAMHatch of Australia has signed as one of their distributors

The contract was signed last week between AAMHatch’s General Manager, Brian Nicholls and RapidEye CEO, Wolfgang G. Biedermann.

AAMHatch will market and distribute RapidEye products in Australia and New Zealand (including their Antarctic territories), Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the South Pacific Island nations.

“We know that AAMHatch has many years of experience in business mapping and GIS, and is very well respected in these fields. They are well positioned to aggressively develop and ensure market uptake of RapidEye data in this large region which covers most of Oceania. RapidEye also recognize that AAMHatch has a well dispersed network of staff and offices to secure sales and support for our products,” commented John Ahlrichs, Vice President of RapidEye. “We look forward to a long-lasting business relationship.”

“The RapidEye system offers some unique benefits to the marketplace in Australia, New Zealand and the Oceania region. We look forward to working with our clients and partners on the adoption and operational implementation of the RapidEye content, tools and services,” espoused Brian Nicholls, General Manager of AAMHatch. “We welcome the opportunity to work with RapidEye and other RapidEye partners around the world to commercialise this technology.”

Currently, RapidEye is working on completing its worldwide network of distributors in order to facilitate easy access to RapidEye products in their customers’ own languages and regions. For a full list of RapidEye’s distributors

About AAMHatch

AAMHatch operates from an extensive office network throughout Australia, South East Asia and South Africa. AAMHatch specialises in providing business mapping, GIS and Location Based Services to a broad base of Government and Business clients. The AAMHatch Group is a multi-disciplinary team of over 200 geospatial professionals with an award-winning culture of innovation and passion that actively contributes to client success.

_For more information about AAMHatch, please visit their website

About RapidEye AG

RapidEye is an ISO-certified geospatial information provider focused on integrating customized and industry specific solutions into the workflow of global customers in agriculture, forestry, energy, infrastructure, government, security and emergency. RapidEye experts and the satellite system – a constellation of five satellites capable of downloading over 4 million km² of high resolution, multi-spectral imagery per day, and a ground segment for processing and archiving data – allow for cost-effective customized services. The unique combination of large area coverage, high spatial resolution and the possibility of daily revisit to an area provide for superior management information solutions. Currently, more than 110 experts from more than 20 countries are employed by RapidEye, with plans to grow the team to 140 by late 2009.

RapidEye benefits from a public-private partnership with the Space Agency of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. RapidEye is also cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For more information on ERDF please contact efreinfo@mw.brandenburg.de.

RapidEye is a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” and therefore part of the event series “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas”. This program is run by the initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas” and Deutsche Bank. Being a “Selected Landmark” RapidEye will stand for Germany being a “Land of ideas” in 2009 and will demonstrate Germany’s spirit of innovation. The initiative is under the patronage of Germany’s federal president Horst Köhler. www.land-of-ideas.org

For more information about RapidEye, please visit www.rapideye.de.

RapidEye Contact
RapidEye AG
Molkenmarkt 30
14776 Brandenburg a. d. Havel, Germany
press@rapideye.de
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Head Office/Sitz der Gesellschaft: Brandenburg an der Havel Management Board/Vorstand: Wolfgang G. Biedermann Chairman of Supervisory Board/Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates: Juergen Breitkopf Commercial Register/Handelsregister Potsdam HRB 17 796 Tax Number/Steuernummer: 048/100/00053 VAT-Ident-Number/Ust.-ID: DE 199331235 DIN EN ISO 9001 certified

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