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VEGA Group PLC (VEGA), the specialist Professional Services Company, has won a contract to support the Communities and Local Government department (C&LG), with its electronic collection of Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plans Returns.

VEGA Group PLC (VEGA), the specialist Professional Services Company, has won a contract to support the Communities and Local Government department (C&LG), with its electronic collection of Fire and Rescue Service Integrated Risk Management Plans Returns.

C&LG is responsible for providing the infrastructure, equipment and training to support the Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) and for ensuring its services are of the highest order. VEGA was asked to develop the system that will be used to collect the required returns and also manage the process to ensure it continually provides accurate information and analysis to C&LG. The results will enable C&LG to evaluate the FRS against criteria including operational performance, equal opportunities and health and safety.

VEGA has a strong track record in successfully developing and managing similar systems for the European space industry. This knowledge and experience enabled VEGA to present C&LG with a working beta version of the system only a week after contract award.

The full version of VEGA’s system will be up and running this month. VEGA will be responsible for the ongoing management of the system on behalf of the C&LG for the next three years.

VEGA’s Director of Managed Solutions, Derek Greer, commented:

“This contract is an exciting example of what VEGA can achieve for its clients when bringing together the best parts of Technology and Managed Solutions offering. We are delighted to be providing this service for such a prominent Government client.”

Further information
For further information please contact Mark Gunning.

VEGA Technologies SAS (VEGA), the specialist Professional Services Company, has teamed up with Atos Origin to secure a three-year contract from the French National Space Agency, Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).

The contract involves the design and development of the system for the exploitation of the Venµs satellite images. It includes two years developing the Venµs Image Processing (VIP) unit and one year warranty, with the option for a further three years maintenance work. The project team consists of VEGA as prime contractor, Atos Origin as co-prime, and Advanced Computer Systems (ACS), an Italian company specialising in Earth Observation (EO) technologies, as sub-contractor.

Venµs is a Franco-Israeli scientific demonstrator for Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES), which is dedicated to the vegetation survey of a minimum of 50 scientific sites.

Under the terms of the contract, VEGA will have the following responsibilities: managing the VIP development, which is part of the Venµs image ground segment; managing the specification, design, development and validation of the image processing chain; develop the Venµs programming; the overall assembly, integration and validation. In total, nine VEGA staff will be involved on the project, headed by Project Manager Christelle Barbey, along with at least three staff from Atos Origin and eight from ACS.

John Auburn, Business Development Director for Aerospace, said: “Winning this work is another significant step forward for VEGA in France, and is a milestone programme for VEGA Technologies SAS under the new leadership of Michel Austruy, who is leading a strong team to develop our footprint in the French market.”

For further information and images, please contact Karen Rogers.

Useful changes also for layout and graphics

Simcat™ was designed by TRE as a web-based mapping tool to access information on satellite imagery acquired over an area of interest. Simcat™ combines a powerful search engine with the Google Earth™ platform for data visualization. 

As a result of our last innovations, the system is now able to respond more quickly to users’ enquiries.
Moreover, some new features make it even more effective and easy-to-use:

  • two different icons have been superimposed on ascending and descending data-sets (to distinguish between different acquisition geometries);
  • the date of the first and the last acquisition, as well as the name of the radar sensor, now appear within the pop-up window opening on Google interface.

From now on, notes and previews on Simcat™ improvements will be presented in the login page.

Spacemetric AB has added a new dimension in its rapidly growing list of contracts by winning the right to develop an online distribution and archiving system for satellite images acquired by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in support of the Control with Remote Sensing (CwRS) campaigns.

The JRC manages the control activities for the Common Agricultural Policy, including the acquisition of satellite images, on behalf of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. The images are distributed to contractors in the EU member states for processing and analysis, and are sent back to the JRC for archiving and proof of purchase. The CwRS activity is now one of the largest civil applications of remote sensing in Europe.

The JRC faced a significant logistical overhead in handling large volumes of raw imagery and particularly their redistribution to contractors, each of whom must generate accurate orthoimagery from raw scenes and locally sourced reference materials. Also posing significant challenges were demonstrating the fulfilment of data licensing requirements and in ensuring the consistency of orthoimages generated by contractors within the scope of the contract.

In order to address these issues, an image portal concept was conceived based on an already existing prototype of the ImageServer used internally at the JRC. The new solution will add functionality to the existing ImageServer in terms of:

  • a fine-grained authentication system, allowing the ImageServer to function as an external image portal
  • an automatic system for orthorectification of raw satellite images, using high-resolution reference imagery, and
  • an OGC-compliant catalogue system for identification and access of satellite images.

The solutions will support all types of satellite sensors used in the CwRS program.

Spacemetric is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and provides systems and consulting on all aspects of satellite image production. The company has long-standing expertise in operational solutions for the rigorous correction of satellite remote sensing imagery. Other customers include the European Space Agency, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (DMCii), the National Aerospace Laboratory in the Netherlands, the Swedish National Land Survey, the Swedish Space Corporation and the Swedish National Space Board.

Contacts:
Lars-Åke Edgardh,
Managing Director,
Spacemetric
Email
Tel: +46 8 594 770 80
www.spacemetric.com

SciSys plc announces the acquisition of VCS AG for Euro 16.7million.

SciSys plc (“SciSys” or “the Company”), the supplier of bespoke IT services and solutions to blue chip clients primarily in the Space, Defence and Public sectors, has announced the acquisition of VCS AG (“VCS”) for Euro 16.7million.

VCS is a supplier of bespoke IT solutions to the Broadcast and Space sectors. The Broadcast division provides integrated IT systems for the production and playout process of radio, TV and new media for both German domestic and international professional broadcasters. Solutions are built around VCS’s family of niche software products which provide ongoing support and maintenance income. The Space sector supplies framework-based ICT system solutions and components/applications for satellite meteorology to European and German space agencies. Established in 1986, VCS employs 140 staff from its base in Bochum, Germany.

The consideration for the acquisition of Euro 16.7 million is being satisfied by the issue of 2,822,366 new ordinary SciSys shares (valued at Euro 2.4 million based on the average closing middle market price of a SciSys ordinary share over the 5 business days preceding 11 September 2007) and Euro 14.3 million in cash. The cash consideration is being funded from existing resources, supplemented by extended overdraft facilities of £2.0 million and a bank loan of £3.7 million. In December 2007 the Company will receive a loan repayment from the SciSys employee share trust of £2.2 million which will be applied to reduce the bank loan.
The shareholders in VCS are Prof Dr K G Meng and WestLB, who hold 65.7% and 29.7% respectively. The balance of 4.6% is held as own shares by VCS. The consideration for the shares held by Prof Dr K G Meng, VCS’s founder and majority shareholder, will be satisfied by the issue of 2,822,366 new ordinary shares, subject to their admission to trading on AIM, with the remainder of Euro 9.1 million being satisfied in cash. He will continue to work part time in the business to facilitate a smooth integration and is not permitted to sell his SciSys shares before the second anniversary of the acquisition date. The consideration for the shares held by WestLB (Euro 5.2 million) will be satisfied completely with cash.

In the twelve months to 31 December 2006, (under US GAAP) VCS achieved revenue of Euro 16.0 million (2005: Euro 12.6 million) and profit before tax of Euro 2.5 million (2005: Euro 2.2 million). It had gross assets of Euro 12.2 million as at 31 December 2006, including net cash expected to be in excess of Euro 2 million at the time of completion. SciSys expects the acquisition will be immediately earnings enhancing for the SciSys group.

The acquisition is in line with SciSys’ stated strategy of using its cash assets to enhance earnings per share through organic growth and strategic acquisition; to broaden access to markets both geographically and vertically and to enhance margins by developing and leveraging its IP assets and the reuse of software.
In relation to the issuance of shares above, application has been made to the London Stock Exchange for the 2,822,366 new ordinary shares to be admitted to AIM and it is expected that admission will take place on 20 September 2007. The new ordinary shares will rank pari passu with the existing shares of the Company. 
 
Following the issue of new shares in relation to this acquisition, the total issued share capital of the Company has increased to 28,480,275 ordinary shares.

Commenting, Mark Hampson, Chief Executive of SciSys, said,

“I am delighted to welcome VCS to the SciSys Group.
There is a strong cultural and technological compatibility between the two businesses. Both are projects-based companies with a well established blue chip client base with substantial elements of repeat business.
We have known VCS for many years and have been working closely together for the last year. By integrating the two businesses, SciSys will enjoy greater access to the Broadcast sector, a stronger presence in mainland Europe and improving margins in our activities.”

The first of the five satellites has completed all extensive pre-launch testing and has been accepted by MDA. Additionally, the last of the payloads consisting of the cameras and all associated electronics has been delivered to the final satellite assembly site in Guildford, UK.

“The fact that all five payloads have been completed is indeed a very important milestone,” says Pietro Widmer of the RapidEye management team. “It’s getting real and exciting”.

The RapidEye system has been highly anticipated by their customers because of its ability to image over 4 million square kilometers of Earth each day in five spectral bands with a five meter resolution. Additionally, the system can image any point on Earth within 24 hours, giving customers extremely up-to-date information about their area of interest.

MDA of Vancouver, Canada is the general contractor for the RapidEye satellite constellation, the acquisition planning and the data pre-processing systems. MDA has subcontracted SSTL of Guildford, UK to develop and test the satellites, and Jena-Optronik of Jena, Germany to construct and deliver the payloads.

For the over sixty employees of RapidEye, and the customers that will rely on this system, these current developments are indeed exciting. Launch of the satellite constellation is planned before the end of this year from Baikonur, Kazakhstan, and the RapidEye constellation is expected to be commercially operational by early 2008.

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging today announced that Planetek Italia is now an authorized distributor of Leica Geosystems’ solutions to customers in Italy.


Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging Expands Channel with Planetek Italia

Previously the distributor of ER Mapper’s products in Italy, Planetek Italia specializes in information sciences applied to land management. Leica Geosystems recently acquired ER Mapper, expanding its product portfolio and distribution network.

With this agreement, Planetek Italia will provide services for a broad array of Leica Geosystems’ products, including data sharing, enterprise, photogrammetry, remote sensing and visualization solutions.

“Known for its unceasing cooperation with the European Union,numerous universities, space agencies and research centers, Planetek Italia has an outstanding reputation both within and outside Italy,” said Thomas Bayer, Sales Director for Europe and CIS, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging. ¿¿“By partnering with Planetek Italia, Leica Geosystems is empowered to more efficiently deliver the most robust enterprise-enabled geospatial solutions to this part of the world.”??

¿¿“We are excited to be an authorized distributor for Leica Geosystems,”?? said Giovanni Sylos Labini, CEO, Planetek Italia. ¿¿“Enhancing our existing expertise, this partnership increases the availability of new geospatial technology and promotes our continued research efforts for integrating geospatial imaging with GIS.”??

For more information about Planetek Italia or its products and services, please visit www.planetek.it.

About Planetek Italia

Planetek Italia is one of the leading companies in Italy in the data processing and system development for geographic data management. The company delivers systems for storage, elaboration and distribution of cartographic databases and satellite images. As provider of leading technologies for the European Space Agency (ESA), Italian Space Agency (ASI) and other leader research and development entities in Europe, Planetek Italia assures state of the art products to their customers. To better satisfy market needs, Planetek Italia complements its offerings by reselling premiere geospatial solutions and provides consulting and training services. Sister companies of Planetek Italia are Planetek Hellas EPE in Athens, Greece, GEO-K in Rome, Italy.

About Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging

When building image-based maps, you need reliable measurements and solutions for your entire workflow. So when it has to be right, more geospatial professionals trust Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging, to help them collect, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is powering geospatial imaging by putting precise imaging to work. Its broad array of photogrammetry and remote sensing software solutions capture data efficiently, reference imagery accurately, measure and analyze easily and present spatial information, even in 3D. Those who use Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging products every day trust them for their precision, their seamless integration, and their superior customer support. Delivering geospatial imaging solutions with precision, integration, and service from Leica Geosystems. When it has to be right.
Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden. For more information about Leica or its products and services, call +1 770 776 3400, toll free +1 866 534 2286, or visit www.gi.leica-geosystems.com.

Media Contact:
Jason Sims

Marketing Communications Specialist
5051 Peachtree Corners Circle, Suite 100
Norcross, GA 30092
Phone: +1 770 776 3400 or +1 866 534 2286
Fax: +1 770 776 3698
E-mail

Our Cities like hot hells of cement

The Italian Research Council (CNR) has recently published a study about “temperatures distribution in Rome”, using remote sensing technologies and techniques. The study revealed that about 90% of the entire city area is covered by buildings or roads and some areas are affected by very high temperatures (around 60 celsius degrees). The data have been collected by the Multispectral Infrared Visible Imaging Spectrometer (Mivis). The study shows how temperature level is a consequence of urban area coverage: higher if there is a lack of green areas and waters, known as a heat mitigation elements.

(News by: CNR and www.rivistageomedia.it )

PCI Geomatics awarded a GeoConnections contract to develop a Web Coverage Server and Image Correction Appliance.

PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of image-centric software and solutions for the geospatial industry, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a contract with GeoConnections to develop innovative technology for the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI).

GeoConnections is a national program led by Natural Resources Canada. The program is collaborating with a range of public and private sector organizations to expand and enhance the CGDI, an on-line resource that enables decision-makers to access, combine, and share geospatial information over the internet and gain new insights into social, environmental, and economic issues. GeoConnections’ current priority areas include public health, public safety and security, the environment and sustainable development, and Aboriginal communities.

“Our Government is investing in innovative technologies to improve Canadians’ access to information on community planning, resource development, and public health and safety,” said The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources. “Partnerships such as this one with PCI Geomatics, will also help ensure the long-term prosperity and competitiveness of Canada’s geomatics sector.”

The project will upgrade the PCI commercial Web Coverage Server (WCS) OGC 1.0 compliant technology to the OGC WCS 1.1 specification and will develop an “Image Correction Appliance” to orthorectify satellite imagery and publish the images via the WCS specification. Project collaborators include Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Public Safety Canada. The upgraded software offering will enhance the CGDI by allowing users with similar needs to those of project collaborators to more easily contribute WCS services into the CGDI network.

“This project is key as it offers us the ability to discover, share and access imagery via standards-based and an interoperable environment. Access to a broad range of imagery data stores, including the most recent or best available imagery information will allow the INAC community of practice to gain a better understanding of the First Nation, Inuit, Métis and Northerners Land in support of its mandate,” says Hélène Lachance, Manager of Geomatics Services, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

A WCS is a web service which returns a geographic “coverage” of the earth’s surface, in response to a defined and standard request type. This commercial product will lower the complexity and total cost of ownership of WCS servers. Additionally, the project will develop an innovative capability to automatically correct satellite imagery anywhere in Canada, using existing GeoBase data as control, allowing organizations to publish data to national standard-level accuracy without in-house expertise.

The system is aimed at organizations having small to medium imagery archives and the Image Correction and Server Appliance would be pre-configured with web coverage servers and services to allow for the ability to access over 100+ image file formats. The software is built upon PCI Geomatics Generic Database technology (GDB), and will automatically gather and store the necessary metadata and accept simultaneous requests for discovery and production of raster imagery data.

“The result of this project will mean increased productivity, cost savings and increased turn-around time for the delivery of best available situational awareness knowledge derived from satellite imagery in a highly reliable and efficient manner,” said David Stanley, Chief Technology Officer at PCI Geomatics.

About PCI Geomatics

PCI Geomatics is a world-leading developer of geospatial software, specializing in remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, spatial analysis, cartographic production, and, more recently, automated production systems. Today, with our trusted Geomatica® brand, PCI Geomatics provides all the image-centric solutions necessary to meet the expectations of a large and expanding industry. Since 1982, the company and its reputation have continued to grow as a result of innovative leadership, strong technology partnerships, active geomatics community involvement, and a dedication to earn the trust of customers who use PCI Geomatics.

For more information, visit www.pcigeomatics.com

Press Contact
Alysia Vetter
Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: 819-770-0022, Ext. 233
Fax: 819-770-0098
Email
Web

PCI Geomatics issues upgrade to Geomatica Software

PCI Geomatics, a world-leading developer of image-centric software and solutions for the geospatial industry, is pleased to announce the release of Geomatica 10.1.1. This release features notable enhancements to sensor support as well as additional functionality within the software.

Now supported in Geomatica 10.1.1 is Kompsat-2, the high-resolution satellite belonging to the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). KOMPSAT-2 acquires imagery in black and white (Pan) at a resolution of 1 m, and in colour (MS) across 4 bands in the visible (red, green, blue) and near-infrared at a resolution of 4 m.

Support for ALOS data products has also been extended to include ERSDAC PALSAR level 1.5 long version, level 4.1 and level 4.2 data

Other satellites fully supported in this release include:

  • CBERS -China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite
  • DMC – Disaster Monitoring Constellation
  • EROS-B, Earth Resources Observation Systems

In addition, PCI Geomatics’ Generic Database (GDB) Technology has been extended, allowing for the exporting of raster and vector layers into KML format with direct loading of layers into Google Earth (version 4.0 or greater). The GDB Technology also now supports LASF version 1.0 for both reading and writing.

A new RMOVERLAP algorithm has been added to the Modeler and EASI environments which simplify cutlines generated by OrthoEngine. By removing the overlap between cutline polygons, cutlines are easier to edit and are more intuitive.

The GRNEHN algorithm is now included in the pan sharpening workflow, which produces a more natural dataset and is a better match with actual photos, as it improves the green band in the output image.

“By focusing this update on sensor support, we are providing our customers with the most up-to-date tools to incorporate data from the latest high resolution satellites into their workflows,” said Peter Hazlett, Product Manager for Geomatica.

For more information on the latest features of Geomatica 10.1.1, please visit http://www.pcigeomatics.com/services/support_center/updates/updates_v101.html

About PCI Geomatics

PCI Geomatics is a world-leading developer of geospatial software, specializing in remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, spatial analysis, cartographic production, and, more recently, automated production systems. Today, with our trusted Geomatica® brand, PCI Geomatics provides all the image-centric solutions necessary to meet the expectations of a large and expanding industry. Since 1982, the company and its reputation have continued to grow as a result of innovative leadership, strong technology partnerships, active geomatics community involvement, and a dedication to earn the trust of customers who use PCI Geomatics.

For more information, visit www.pcigeomatics.com

Press Contact:
Alysia Vetter
Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: 819-770-0022, Ext. 233
Fax: 819-770-0098
Email
Web

NPA Group


Overview

NPA Group, a world leading satellite mapping company based in the UK, have combined historical ground motion information with earthquake epicentres to highlight a striking correlation between ground uplift and seismicity across the Manchester, UK. NPA in conjunction with the British Geological Survey (BGS), are assessing the significance and implications of the correlation between the seismic and satellite data observations.

Technology

Through the use of a historical archive of satellite radar data acquired by the European Space Agency (ESA), NPA employ a state-of-the-art processing technique (known as Persistent Scatterer Interferometry) to derive historical ground and structure motion measurements. Motion is derived for points known as ‘Persistent Scatterers’ which correspond to features on the ground such as buildings, bridges, motorways, and natural features such as rocky outcrops. Such information can be used to highlight ground and structure instability associated with earthquakes (as in this case), volcanic deformation, subsidence, mining, tunneling and other hazards.

NPA profile

NPA provide a comprehensive suite of Earth Observation solutions that are proven to increase the effectiveness of decision making. With growing involvement in disaster and risk management, NPA are at the forefront in the application of satellite SAR interferometry (InSAR) for ground displacement and subsidence detection. NPA also lead a pan-European project called Terrafirma, which employs this technology with the specific aim of saving lives, improving safety and reducing economic loss throughout Europe. Further information can be found at www.npagroup.com.

Contact

For general information please contact:
David Morten (Managing Director)
Tel: 01732 865023
Email: david.morten@npagroup.com

Applications for 3-D stereo analyses and photogrammetry

Planar’s SD product line, featuring innovative StereoMirror™ technology, provides the highest quality stereoscopic image available in a desktop monitor. The SD line features 3 sizes: 17” with SXGA resolution (1280 × 1024), a 20” with UXGA resolution (1600 × 1200) and a wide-format 23” with WUXGA (1920 × 1200) resolution. These displays have the resolution and brightness you’ve come to expect from Planar. StereoMirror technology delivers stunning images for use in applications such as satellite/aerial photogrammetry; medical imaging; computational chemistry; complex modeling visualization and computer gaming.
Source: MFB-Geo