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The National Space Research Development Agency has said that it would complete the installation of the Mission Control Room (MCC) for the country’s second earth-observation satellite (NigeriaSat-2) in August.

The centre is a very critical component of the $55m earth-observation satellite facility due for launch within the first quarter of 2010.

It is the place where space engineers and scientists attached to NigeriaSat-2 perform the nominal operation of tracking, control, command, data upload and download.

The Director-General of NASRDA, Professor Robert Boroffice, who made the disclosure yesterday while addressing newsmen in Abuja as part of the ceremonies marking the five years of Nigerian satellite in space, said the agency would relocate the NigeriaSat-1 mission control centre from its temporary base in Asokoro to NASRDA’s permanent site along airport road in Abuja.
“Starting from tomorrow, 26th June, NASRDA would commence the relocation of the NigeriaSat-1 Mission Control Centre (MCC) from its present location of the Asokoro to the agency’s permanent site at the Space Centre at Lugbe in Abuja”, he said.

He said the $55m NigeriaSat-2 space satellite with higher resolution of five metres would be due for launch within the first quarter of 2010 instead of the projected 2009.

The D-G said the reason for the relocation of the Sat-1 MCC to its permanent site was taken by the management in view of the escalating cost of rent being incurred on the temporary site. He said since the agency has moved its offices to the permanent site, there is the need to also bring all its facilities under one roof.
Boroffice disclosed that some of the electronics of MCC would be shipped to its partners in the United Kingdom for refurbishment and upgrading to make it compatible with the NigeriaSat-2 spacecraft.

According to him, the NigeriaSat-1 MCC would serve as a back up for the NigeriaSat-2MCC which will be due for installation at NASRDA headquarters within the next eight weeks. He said Nigerian scientists and engineers currently undergoing training in UK would take charge of controlling the satellite while the refurbishment will be executed at no cost to the country.
The NigeriaSat-1 which was launched in 2003 had a resolution of 32 metres, while the new satellite is designed to give a higher resolution of 5 metres and will also be equipped with more spectrum than the first one.

Explaining the distinctive roles of both Sat-1 and Sat-2, Boroffice said the first satellite is essentially a disaster monitoring and mapping satellite which has assisted Nigeria and countries in other parts of the world with essential data in the area of drought management, food security programmes, improved agricultural yield and environmental management.

The agency’s Project’s Director in-charge of NigeriaSat-2, Mr. C. Chizea said the satellite project is moving ahead of schedule as the training of Nigerian space engineers attached to the project is almost completed.

“We have also completed the critical review of the spacecraft in readiness for the final testing of the satellite”, he said.

Source thisdayonline

This publication summarises the main features of European business and its different activities in a concise and simple manner.

This edition includes a special feature section on the factors of business success, which presents an analysis of the characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. The publication is intended to function as a showcase for and introduction to the data available in this field. The focus is on structural business statistics: both traditional business statistics which are disseminated regularly, as well as specific information compiled on a multi-yearly basis and the latest results from development projects on topics of key political interest.

Order

Source Eurostat

Eurospace produces, since 1996, the sole annual comprehensive review of the state of the space industry in Europe:

* Industrial statistics collected at the source.
* Annual survey, 150+ space companies in Europe.
* Proven consolidation methodology
* Full chronological consistency and comprehensive series
* Unique economic indicators

The print report (published in June) is distributed free of charge to industry participants, to the main space policy actors in Europe (ESA, EU, National Agencies, Ministries…), and to the press.

This year we present the twelth edition of our annual survey of European Space Industry activity. The elements currently available for download are:

* The pdf version of the Eurospace 2007 Facts & Figures survey report: right click here to download.
* The complete 2007 facts and figures presentation: right click here to download
* The complete facts and figures data sets (year 2007 and time series) as an Excel file at Eurospace website to download.

Eurospace is proud to present, year after year, the only estimate of European Space Industry’s consolidated turnover, this could not be achieved without active participation of the companies in the sector which we would particularly like to thank.

Source Eurospace

Relying on interoperability standards, Earth Observation Systems use meteorological data to predict outbreak of diseases, and have potential to prevent countless illnesses and deaths.


Interoperability Standards enhance public health research.
June 25, 2008 – Relying on interoperability standards, Earth Observation Systems use meteorological data to predict outbreak of diseases, and have potential to prevent countless illnesses and deaths. Global Earth Observation System of Systems links planned and existing earth observations with one another, ensuring interoperability by promoting technical standards. These standards make certain that data collected from instruments worldwide can be combined into cohesive, comprehensive information set.

The weather forecast may affect more than just your decision to take an umbrella with you in the morning. Scientists are developing a new system of using meteorological data to predict the outbreak of diseases. This innovative system, which has the potential to prevent countless illnesses and deaths worldwide, relies on interoperability standards to have its biggest impact.

Researchers posture that by combining different earth observation systems, such as those that focus on weather, climate, disasters, agriculture, and others, trends will emerge that can provide critical information on public health.

For example, studies have shown a relationship between the temperature of the Bay of Bengal and the outbreak of cholera in India. By monitoring and predicting the bay’s temperature for the coming months and years, public health officials can work to educate and protect the population threatened by the outbreak before it begins.

Bringing together these diverse observation systems requires certain measures to ensure that they operate together successfully. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is dedicated to facilitating this interoperability through its Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). GEOSS addresses nine areas of focus that are significant for the world’s population: disasters, health, energy, climate, agriculture, ecosystems, biodiversity, water, and weather.

This “system of systems” works to link planned and existing earth observations with one another, ensuring interoperability by promoting technical standards. These standards will make certain that the data collected from thousands of different instruments around the world can be combined into a cohesive, comprehensive information set. Through this resource, researchers will be better prepared to do everything from forecasting meningitis outbreaks to supporting disaster management.

GEOSS provides information about relevant standards in its Standards and Interoperability Registry, hosted by the IEEE Standards Association. With 102 standards from IEEE, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), NASA, and others, the registry is a growing resource that helps identify the existing and needed standards that contribute to the interoperability of all types of earth observation systems.

One standard listed in the registry is IEEE Std 1451.4-2004, IEEE Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators-Mixed-Mode Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS). Developed by IEEE, a member and accredited standards developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), this document facilitates the transfer of information received by analog transducers into digital information. This allows measurements such as voltage, water pressure, and air pressure collected as analog information to be entered into the GEOSS system for use with digital information in cross-sector research and analyses.

Another standard found in the GEOSS registry is ISO 19110:2005, Geographic information — Methodology for feature cataloguing. This standard was developed by ISO Technical Committee (TC) 211, Geographic information/Geomatics. The InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards (INCITS) serves as administrator for the ANSI-accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to TC 211.

This standard defines the methodology for cataloguing feature types in geographic information, and specifies how the classification of features is organized into a catalogue and presented in a data set. With a uniform method for cataloging geographic features, the data can be integrated into the GEOSS system for comparison to other earth data.

Voluntary consensus standards are playing an important role in the use of earth data for public health and safety. By ensuring interoperability and usability, standards bring scientists the information they need to protect the planet and the people who inhabit it.

Company Information:
Name: American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Address: 11 West 42nd St., 13th Flr.
City: New York
State: NY
ZIP: 10036
Country: USA
Phone: 212-642-4900
http://www.ansi.org/

Source News.ThomasNet

This prototype editor allows users to create metadata that are compliant with the INSPIRE Implementing Rules as approved by the INSPIRE Regulatory Committee and the European Parliament.

These Implementing Rules are now in the process of formal adoption (expected during the summer). The metadata created with this editor are also compliant with EN ISO 19115 and 19119, and have been successfully validated against the INSPIRE Geoportal Catalogue and other catalogue applications (for example Geonetwork).

The editor allows users to validate the metadata created and save the metadata record as an xml file on a local machine. This prototype is a proof of concept and is not expected to be used in an operational environment. Following the publication of the Implementing Rules in the 23 languages of the EU, other tools should be developed by industry and academia that will address different communities in their natural language, with a close integration with geographic information software to capture as much metadata as possible automatically.

The INSPIRE Metadata editor is now available through the INSPIREgeoportal

Any suggestions for improvements, and feedback on this editor should be sent to JRC

Source GMES.info

The Open Geospatial Consortium, Inc. (OGC®) announced that a Call for Participation (CFP) in Phase 2 of the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) Architecture Implementation Pilot (AIP) has been issued by the GEO (Group on Earth Observations).

Phase 1 of the AIP demonstrated GEO Portal and Clearinghouse solutions. Phase 2 will establish “operational, research and technical exemplars,” services that support the GEOSS Societal Benefit Areas (application domains).

The CFP invites GEO Members and Participating Organizations to:

• Provide components and services relevant to GEOSS “Societal Benefit Areas” (application domains).

• Participate in interoperability testing of the services including use of the GEOSS Common Infrastructure Components in order to validate the architecture.

• Participate in the collaborative refinement of societal benefit scenarios to guide testing, demonstrations and operations of interoperable services.

The CFP document is available at http://www.earthobservations.org/geoss_imp.shtml. Responses to the CFP are requested by 1 September 2008 to support a planning workshop scheduled for 25-26 September 2008 in Boulder, Colorado, USA. To register for the teleconference or ask questions about the CFP, please contact George Percivall, percivall@opengeospatial.org. The OGC efforts in AIP are supported by the European Commission, Northrop Grumman, and ERDAS. Additional information is available at http://www.ogcnetwork.net/AIpilot.

The OGC® is an international consortium of more than 365 companies, government agencies, research organizations, and universities participating in a consensus process to develop publicly available geospatial standards. The OGC’s OpenGIS® standards support interoperable solutions that “geo-enable” the Web, wireless and location-based services, and mainstream IT. These standards empower technology developers to make geospatial information and services accessible and useful with any application that needs to be geospatially enabled. Visit the OGC website at http://www.opengeospatial.org.

GEO (Group on Earth Observations) is a voluntary partnership of 124 governments and international organizations, launched in response to calls for action by the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development and by the G8 (Group of Eight) leading industrialized countries. GEO is coordinating efforts to build GEOSS. See http://earthobservations.org/about_geo.shtml.

Source Businesswire

During its 64th Council meeting on 1-2 July, EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, agreed to provide its data and products for the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) initiative.

(3 July 2008) The agreement covers GMES pre-operational services from 2008-2010, during which all EUMETSAT data and products, including real-time data, will be made available free of charge to the five GMES Core Services (three fast-track and two pilot services). The three fast track services are the Land Core Service, Marine Core Service, Emergency Response Support Service, and the two pilot services are Security and Atmosphere monitoring.

Stressing the importance of the decision, the Director-General of EUMETSAT, Dr. Lars Prahm, told Council: “This agreement probably covers more marine and atmosphere space data than the total until now available to GMES from any single source”, adding that it covers a “significant” 30-50 per cent of the space data presently needed by GMES Core Services on Marine and Atmosphere monitoring. With this decision, EUMETSAT Member States gave a clear signal that they will support GMES’ move into its operational phase and that EUMETSAT should play a key role in that phase. The data and products that the Council has agreed to put at the disposal of GMES emanate from the operational infrastructure developed by EUMETSAT over 20 years, soon to be complemented by Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) and the next generation EUMETSAT Polar System (Post-EPS).

Availability free of charge is under the condition that every GMES service user requiring the EUMETSAT data/products contacts EUMETSAT directly to receive the data and signs a simple web-based licence. Physical access to the data/products themselves and related user helpdesk functions will be through the existing EUMETSAT operational mechanisms: EUMETCast for real-time data and the EUMETSAT Internet portal for the off-line data and products.

The Head of EUMETSAT’s Legal Affairs Division, Silvia Castañer, said: “The decison is in line with EUMETSAT’s Data Policy and requires no change to the principles underlying it.” One of the aims of the EUMETSAT Data Policy is to promote official duty use and research/educational use of EUMETSAT data and products.

For more information click here

Source: EUMETSAT and EOportal

Thales Alenia Space is ready to deliver the high-resolution (HR) optical imaging instrument for integration in the first Pleiades earth observation satellite.

(Cannes, July 9, 2008). The Pleiades project is part of ORFEO*, a joint Franco-Italian initiative by the countries’ national space agencies CNES and ASI, marking a major technological advance in optical earth observation systems. The dual-technology program addresses both military and civil needs for European users, including mapping, volcano monitoring, geophysical and hydrology studies, urban planning, etc. As prime contractor for the Pleiades system-in particular the ground segment-CNES selected Astrium as satellite prime contractor and Thales Alenia Space for the imaging instruments.

The Pleiades optical high-resolution imaging instruments offers enhanced resolution of 70 cm over a wide swath (20 km) in both the visible and near infrared bands. This very high resolution instrument also introduces significant innovations such as the highly-integrated detection sub-assemblies (SEDHI), while also reducing volume three-fold compared to previous generations. The instrument provides very high dimensional stability thanks to a concept combining a carbon/carbon structure (material insensitive to moisture and with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion) and Zerodur mirrors. To optimize in-flight performance, the instrument has an innovative thermal refocusing system, eliminating the need for a complex mechanism.

The absence of this mechanism plus the satellite’s own enhanced performance (satellite pointing/tilting capabilities, downlink transmission rate of 450 Mbit/s) means a significant increase in mission performances.

The first flight-model instrument is now ready for delivery, after successfully passing its environmental tests. The performances of optical and radiometric tests, as measured in a Class 100 clean room in Cannes-the level required for this class of instrument-are excellent. The instrument will be integrated on the first satellite flight model, which will then undergo checks at Astrium’s facility in Toulouse.

The two Pleiades observation satellites have a design life of five years and offer a high degree of in-orbit agility thanks to their maneuvering capability. They will be able to acquire a series of images both along the swath or across the swath to create a veritable mosaic of ground scenes. They are scheduled for launch in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The Pleiades contract confirms Thales Alenia Space’s position as the European leader in very-high performance, very-high resolution imaging instruments. The new instrument leverages the broad array of competencies that Thales Alenia Space has developed during major programs, including payloads for Helios I & II for very high geometric resolution, the Vegetation instrument (on board Spot 4 and 5) and the MERIS instrument (on board Envisat) for high-resolution geometric and radiometric imaging of land and ocean surfaces. Thales Alenia Space also built the IASI Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Instrument on board METOP, enabling French national weather service Méteo France to significantly improve weather forecasting accuracy.

ORFEO*(Optical and Radar Federated Earth Observation)

About Thales Alenia Space
The European leader in satellite systems and a major supplier of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the “Space Alliance”. Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard for space-based telecommunications, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. Thales Alenia Space has 7,200 employees and 11 production plants, with operations in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.
www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Posted in Space Race News

Infoterra and Spot Image provide crucial information in disaster mitigation
Priority access to a unique combination of satellite systems enables reliable services

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The first months of 2008 have been characterized by several devastating natural disasters: people have had to face destruction caused by wildfires, earthquakes, tornadoes, flooding, and – probably most destructive – Cyclone Nargis and the severe Earthquake affecting the Chinese province of Seichuan.

When a disaster strikes, it is crucial that on-site response forces, local, national and international rescue organisations, as well as responsible government agencies receive precise information as quickly and reliably as possible.

In virtually all of the above-mentioned events, Infoterra and/or Spot Image have been able to support the immediate emergency response activities.

Delivery of satellite imagery for Myanmar following Cyclone Nargis

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in early May 2008, the countries’ military junta was reluctant to let international aid organizations into the country. Assessing damages and response requirements became virtually impossible; the full extent of the disaster remained unclear for a long time.

Yet thanks to satellite imagery, international authorities and rescue organizations were able to gain an overview on the effects of the disaster:

Following a call by the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters, an archived SPOT-5 satellite image acquired on March 2nd, 2008, covering residential urban areas in and around Myanmar’s Capital City of Rangoon, was delivered. In comparison to this, a SPOT-4 image acquired May 6th, four days after the cyclone, clearly revealed the extent of flooding.

A TerraSAR-X radar data acquisition of May 8th – particularly significant as cloud cover does not affect the radar instrument – was used as a basis for a reliable flood extent map generated by the German Centre for Satellite Based Crisis Information.

Following these initial deliveries, a series of six optical images was acquired between May 7th and May 24th – valuable not only for follow-on monitoring purposes, but also as a basis for emergency response planning, as many activities were significantly delayed due to the delicate political situation.

TerraSAR-X & SPOT 5 support Earthquake Response in China

Following the severe Earthquake in the Chinese province of Seichuan later that month, Infoterra and Spot Image tasked their respective satellites to provide Chinese government agencies and rescue organizations with satellite imagery, interpretation support, maps, and rapid evaluations depicting the conditions of urban areas, infrastructure, and landscapes.

Within seven hours after reception at the ground station, the first processed TerraSAR-X imagery was delivered. At the same time, Infoterra and Spot Image experts in Europe and Beijing began evaluating and interpreting the data sets – enabling a delivery of detailed maps the following day.

Initial imagery and maps were mostly used for the recognition and assessment of damages, identification of focus areas, and an efficient coordination of actions. Further acquisitions in the following days have helped to identify natural dams caused by landslides; a basis for targeted blasting of dams that threatened settlements or other infrastructures.

Unique combination of satellite systems enables reliable services

These examples prove that today’s Earth observation satellites are a central source of information in time-critical situations.

Thanks to their multi-satellite programming and acquisition capabilities, Infoterra and Spot Image ensure a reliable provision of high-quality radar and optical satellite imagery as well as rapid evaluations of this data.

The companies resort to the German high-resolution radar satellite TerraSAR-X, the French optical SPOT satellite family, and Taiwan’s FORMOSAT-2; all of which they can task directly – an unrivalled operational high-resolution data acquisition capacity.

TerraSAR-X’s weather-independent radar sensor and its quick global site access (2.5 days max), as well as FORMOSAT-2 and the SPOT satellites enabling an optical image acquisition of any place on Earth each day, ensure a rapid data acquisition.
A timely data download and processing is guaranteed by an extensive network of receiving stations around the globe, and 24/7 availability of teams that provide near-real-time data processing and data delivery in case of time-critical requests.

Geo-information experts work day and night to ensure that Rapid Mapping Services are reliably performed: First map sheets and annotated situations maps become available within hours after data acquisition; detailed infrastructure and image analyses follow within the first day.

The teams resort not only to the latest acquisitions of the affected area, but – for orientation and reference, and in order to detect changes – to archived satellite data as well: more than 10 million archived SPOT and FORMOSAT-2 optical images and a continuously growing collection of TerraSAR-X radar imagery add up-to-date habitat and valuable ancillary information.

An immediate dissemination of satellite data, map sheets, and evaluations via established secure data delivery channels, typically online, guarantees that the information reaches its respective destination reliably and quickly. Particularly in emergency response actions; results are often made publicly available via the respective companies’ websites as well as internationally established networks, ensuring accessibility for national and international, governmental and non-governmental organizations worldwide.

Infoterra and Spot Image services do not terminate with the short-term emergency response actions: Follow-up monitoring of the impacted area enables detailed monitoring of progress, changes, and possible further effects of the catastrophe, offering continuous support of the medium-term emergency response activities.

Furthermore, the update of disaster preparedness plans with newly identified disaster zones, the implementation of enhanced emergency response plans, and an improvement of disaster prediction and simulation models based on new experiences and recognitions will benefit from follow-on acquisitions and evaluations.

About Infoterra
Infoterra is a leading provider of geo-information products and services for managing the development, environment and security of our changing world.
Infoterra holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the new German radar satellite TerraSAR-X, launched on June 15th, 2007 – enabling the company to provide weather-independent, high-resolution, new-quality radar data as well as reliable data access services. Further, the company provides quick and reliable access to an extensive range of further commercial satellite data, and operates a comprehensive range of airborne sensors.

Global customers include international companies, national, regional & local governments, as well as authorities such as the European Commission and the European Space Agency: Infoterra develops and validates efficient, sustainable services in three significant priority areas of the European GMES initiative.
Infoterra is part of EADS Astrium, Europe’s leading space systems and services specialist, and comprises established entities in France, Germany, Hungary, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with more than 350 employees and a turnover of over 60 Mio Euro in 2007.

About Spot Image
Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Spot Image has established subsidiaries in the USA, China, Singapore, Japan and Australia, with a sixth planned for summer 2008 in Brazil. As the commercial operator of the SPOT satellites and provider of imagery from other optical and radar satellites, Spot Image is a world leader in the provision of satellite imagery and geo-information value added services. For over two decades, Spot Image has successfully harnessed a range of space- and ground-based systems to meet customers’ needs. The Spot Image group leverages a global network of ground receiving stations, partners and distributors to bring geographic information, products and services to public- and private- sector decision makers worldwide.
Spot Image is closely linked to the Infoterra Group, as Infoterra’s parent company EADS Astrium, Europe’s leading space systems and services specialist, also holds significant shares in Spot Image.

Image Descriptions
SPOT 4 image of 6 May 2008 with urban areas bounded by yellow line, rivers in blue and flood zones in green. © Spot Image
Rapid infrastructure mapping based on a TerraSAR-X image acquired 16 May 2008 – assessment of infrastructure and damages. © Infoterra

Spacemetric has recently established a subsidiary, Spacemetric Limited, in Farnborough, UK. It has also received an order for an image management system for Nigerisat-2 and delivered the Saccess national satellite database in Sweden.


Spacemetric receives order for Nigeriasat-2 image management system

(26 June 2008). Spacemetric has received an order from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (UK) for a comprehensive image management solution for the Nigeriasat-2 satellite being built for the National Space Research & Development Agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This satellite features an agile platform carrying a 32m multispectral imager and a second, high-resolution imager.
The solution to be delivered by Spacemetric builds upon its proven Keystone image management technology and provides the image catalogue, archive management and product processing functions for Nigeriasat-2. Support is also provided for the current Nigeriasat-1 satellite which forms part of the Disaster Management Constellation (DMC) coordinated by SSTL. The imagery from Nigeriasat-2 will be received, managed and processed in Nigeria and Keystone will have a key role in supporting an efficient and streamlined workflow for the timely supply of imagery to a range of applications.

Spacemetric establishes subsidiary in Farnborough, UK

Spacemetric announced today that has established its UK subsidiary, Spacemetric Limited, with offices at IQ Farnborough, further emphasising the company’s focus on the international market for image management solutions. “Farnborough has excellent communications, a long history in aerospace and later this month will host the famous Farnborough Airshow” said Ian Spence, Managing Director. “This was previously the home of the Royal Aerospace Establishment and where my career in space began 20 years ago.” Spacemetric Limited will market the Keystone image management system developed by Spacemetric AB and provide consultancy and support services for new and existing customers.

Saccess satellite image database launched

(25 June 2008). The new Swedish national satellite image database Saccess (saccess.lantmateriet.se) was launched on 24th June 2008. This is the latest solution developed for the National Land Survey by Spacemetric and builds on the same technology platform as the airborne image production system that was taken into operation during 2007.
Saccess has been established by the Swedish National Land Survey with running costs financed by a consortium of government agencies and private companies. It provides easy access to imagery covering the whole of Sweden with datasets as recent as 2007 and stretching back to the 1970s. New national datasets are planned from 2008 onwards so that Saccess will offer a constantly growing sequence of snapshots for environmental monitoring and climate change research. Spacemetric has developed the complete Saccess system incorporating an image catalogue and archive, product processing and distribution functions.

About Spacemetric
Spacemetric Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Spacemetric AB, 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
Managing Director, Spacemetric Ltd
TELEPHONE: +44 207 100 3606