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The European Space Agency donated a composite satellite image of global land cover provided by its Envisat satellite to the United Nations in Geneva, as a testimony to the current state of our planet, to be handed down to future generations.

The image will be exhibited permanently in the new access building by the Pregny gate in the Palais des Nations compound. Mr Sergei Ordzhonikidze, the Director General of the UN Office in Geneva, accepted the mosaic on behalf of the United Nations from Dr Volker Liebig, ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes, donating it on behalf of the European Space Agency.
The image is a mosaic of global land cover images taken by the MERIS instrument onboard ESA’s environmental satellite which shows the entire planet ‘in its true colours’. To produce the mosaic, a total of 1561 satellite orbit passes were used over the period May-November 2004. “Forests, desert, mountains and oceans are clearly visible. The mosaic shows the state of the planet at the beginning of the 21st century from a perspective only satellites can deliver”, said Volker Liebig.
Launched in 2002, Envisat is the largest Earth observation spacecraft ever built. It carries ten sophisticated optical and radar instruments to provide continuous observation and monitoring of the Earth‘s land surface, atmosphere, oceans and ice caps. Envisat data combined collectively provide a wealth of information on the workings of the Earth system, including insights into factors contributing to climate change.
The Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) measures the solar radiation reflected by the Earth, at a ground spatial resolution of 300m, with 15 spectral bands in the visible/near-infrared regions and programmable in terms of width and position. It provides global coverage of the Earth every three days.
ESA and UNOSAT, the UN project concerned with satellite imagery access and applications, are partners in several initiatives and programmes aimed at extending the use of satellite technologies to facilitate the work of the international community and UN agencies in particular. UNOSAT, which forms part of UNITAR, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, promotes projects and programmes designed to enable developing countries and local communities in particular to gain access to such technologies and supports humanitarian aid activities.
ESA cooperates closely with UN specialised agencies. Since 2000, it has launched initiatives with a view to using observation technology to support the implementation of key multilateral environmental agreements such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, ESA has been cooperating closely with UNOSAT and UN agencies on sustainable development projects and projects geared to Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) service development.
For further information, please contact:
Simonetta Cheli
Head of Public and Institutional Relations Office
ESA/ESRIN
Tel.: + 39 06 94180350
E-mail: Simonetta.Cheli@esa.int
(Credits ESA)

A collaborative agreement has been signed between the State Office for Geo-Information and Survey (LGV) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg and CyberCity, Zurich to market and improve the massive 3D city model of Hamburg, Germany.

The city model includes more than 300.000 buildings and will be offered in three different Levels-of-Detail: non-textured block models, non-textured detailed models and textured detailed models. The city center will consist of over 2.000 buildings and will include approximately 40.000 façade images. Textures will be semi-automatically applied from oblique aerial imagery using CyberCity-Modeler’s texturing tool that is used to create a more realistic environment. The final deliverable will be available to the public via the Internet (www.cybercity.tv) in October 2006. Applications include tourism, safety, security, architecture and urban city planning and car navigation.
Fig. 1. The 3D city model of Hamburg commercially available through CyberCity, Zurich.
CyberCity has provided support and services over a 3-year period for the development of a massive three-dimensional city model of Hamburg for LGV. The deliverable also includes a Digital Terrain Model (DTM) and a digital Orthophoto. LGV and CyberCity will co-market the 3D data. LGV will distribute the data within the municipal agencies and organizations and CyberCity will market exclusively to all other interested parties.
Fig. 2 Hagen Graeff, Managing Director LGV, and Dr. Franz Steidler, Managing Director CyberCity AG, after the signing of the cooperation agreement in Hamburg.
Additional applications/customers for Hamburg’s 3D City Model include mission and safety planning for fire and police departments, architects, urban planners and other agencies who may use CAD renderings to demonstrate project alternatives and communicate project plans. 3D city models are also being used in some car navigation systems.
Fig. 3 Textured 3D model of the Speicherstadt in Hamburg.
About CyberCity AG
CyberCity AG is a worldwide operating System- and Software-Company specializing in the creation and visualization of reality-based virtual 3D city and facility models. CyberCity applies its proprietary software to generate high-quality virtual 3-dimensional city models. Our models are produced worldwide using aerial-/satellite imagery (photogrammetry) and airborne laserscanner data (LIDAR), GIS and 3D computer graphics. CyberCity clients and partners include companies and institutions in Europe, USA and the Middle East. Applications in the field of planning, tourism, safety and navigation are offered.
More information is available on the Internet at www.cybercity.tv.
About LGV
LGV is responsible for the distribution of analogue and digital geodata of Hamburg. LGV coordinates the activities of the administration concerning geographic information systems, manages the geodata infrastructure (GDI-HH) by the Competence Center GDI and offers web-based geodata services like www.geonord.de. LGV is a service facility for the administration of Hamburg and the economy and for the public. In addition to the generation of cartographic products by order of third parties, LGV will manage the project, generate and market the orthophotos, the digital terrain models and the digital 3D city model.
More information is available on the Internet at www.geoinfo.hamburg.de.
More information:
CyberCity AG
Kilian Ulm,
Sales & Marketing
Schaffhauserstrasse 481 P.O. Box CH-8052 Zurich
SWITZERLAND
Tel. +41 44 300 13 44
E-Mail kilian.ulm@cybercity.tv
(Credits CiberCity)

A forum for developers and practitioners to gather information on the latest thinking and technology. Part of RSPSoc 2006 – The Annual Conference of the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
Wednesday 6 September 2006 & Thursday 7th September 2006, Fitzwilliam College Cambridge

RSPSoc, and Taylor and Francis Events are pleased to announce the launch of the Applications & Developments in Commercial Remote Sensing conference-within-a-conference at this year’s RSPSoc Annual Conference. Running alongside the main technical programme, this two day conference will feature case studies from worldwide users of remote sensing technology. It will explore the way in which remote sensing is being developed and applied by government and commercial users as well as suppliers.
This unique two-day event will bring together practitioners, scientists and vendors to discuss the current uses and future aspirations of the remote sensing user community.
Key speakers include:
- Dr Stephen Briggs, Head of the Earth Observation Applications Department, European Space Agency
- Andy Shaw, Earth Observation Coordinator, defra
- Chris Steenmans, Head of Group Geospatial Information System, European Environment Agency
- Dr Keith Porter, Environmental Information Manager, English Nature
- Dr Geoff Smith, Head of the Integrated Applications Group, Centre for Ecology and Ecology, Monks Wood
– Robin Fuller, Senior Research Associate with the Unit for Landscape Modelling, University of Cambridge
- David Gisclair, Technical Assistance Program Director, Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, Office of the Governor
- Rob Cunningham, School of Coast and Environment, Louisiana State University
- Alexander P. Trishchenko Ph.D, Senior Research Scientist, Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, Natural Resources Canada
- Chris Duffell, Technical Advisor, Highways Agency
- Mark Rudrum, Director, Arup
- Tony Ballard, Chair, European Centre for Space Law and Partner, Field Fisher and Waterhouse
Benefits of attending:
- Learn from case studies of recent deployments of remote sensing technology
- Network with practitioners, users, suppliers, academics and scientists involved in application of remote sensing technology
- Hear about the latest uses for LiDAR
- Discuss the aspirations of the user community for remote sensing technology – what does the future hold?
- Learn about the latest licensing and regulation requirements
Who should attend?
Anyone with an interest in the commercial uses of remote sensing technology, including:
- Archaeologists,
- Transport Agencies
- Space Agencies
- Agriculture/Forestry Agencies
- Environment Agencies
- Defense/Military
- Civil Engineers
- Utility Companies
- Mining Oil and Gas
- Telecommunications
- Suppliers of Remote Sensing Technology
- Central and Local Government
- Meteorologists
For further information:
To receive a PDF of the Conference Agenda – please email: jonathan.shepherd@informa.com
Contact
Jon Shepherd
Senior Marketing Executive
Informa Plc
Haines House
21 John Street
London
WC1N 2BP
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7017 5664
Fax:+ 44 (0) 20 7017 4121
jonathan.shepherd@informa.com

Following on from its recent success in ICT Consultancy, independent Programme and System Assurance company, VEGA Group PLC, has now also qualified to provide Procurement Consultancy and Project and Programme Management Consultancy under OGCbuying.solutions’ new Functional Consultancy Catalist Framework.

VEGA is now qualified to provide consulting services in a total of nine of the Catalist Consultancy categories.
VEGA Chief Executive, Phil Cartmell, said: “These additional qualifications further emphasise the value that VEGA can deliver to the Government’s strategy to provide efficiency savings through procurement and deliver Programme and System Assurance around the Catalist’s Functional Consultancy requirements.”
For further information and images, please contact:
Marketing Manager, Government and Defence
+44 (0)1707 391 999
(Credits Vega Group)

Spacedat is currently involved in two applied research projects regarding the management of Coastal Areas, one financed by the Italian Ministry of Research (MIUR) and the other by the Province of Lecce – Italy.

What we provide is an innovative web based system to analyse and monitoring the different variables that contribute to the coastal erosion processes. The system integrates the use of aerial photos, high resolution satellite images and the use of differential G.P.S to analyse changes on the shoreline, the health and morphology of sand dunes (3D), the presence of vegetation along the coast, as well as, the identification of posidonia beds.
The system makes use of advance algorithms that provide updated information on the erosion trends. It also provides policy makers and environmental managers with the opportunity to analyse how these variables change over a period of time, thus obtaining a real visual overview of the problem.
Technological instruments of this kind have a promising future considering the vast archive of high resolution satellite data covering most parts of the world and the upcoming launch of new high resolution satellites, which could guarantee a constant monitoring of coastal areas at a sub-meter resolution.
More information at: www.spacedat.com
Via Duca degli Abruzi 57 Lecce 73100
Tel./Fax: (0039) 0832.30.85.05

The district fire and emergency services (SDIS) covering the French administrative department of Val d’Oise (north of Paris) has implemented a new computerised system from Thales to aid decision-making and manage emergency situations.

With the new system now operational, firefighting and emergency crews are able to provide a faster and more effective response.
At the heart of the Val d’Oise district fire and rescue operations centre (CODIS) and call handling centre (CTA), the computerised system receives and processes all 18 (emergency) calls within the department. It also alerts local fire and rescue stations and enables real-time management and tracking of routine operations and more complex emergency situations. Dubbed ISIS 95, the project is now operational.
Development and completion of the new facility involved management of four major areas:
• implementation of a LAN and WAN network architecture covering the entire administrative department
• implementation of administrative IT solutions for dynamic management of personnel, equipment and infrastructure
• integration of operational IT solutions for processing of emergency calls and automated management of response assets
• deployment of an HF network for transmission of alerts to all local fire and rescue centres within the department
The system, operated by around a dozen CODIS/CTA personnel, incorporates a powerful decision-support function that proposes the most appropriate solution to each situation in terms of assets and facilities (equipment, infrastructure, geographic proximity, handling of 18 emergency calls, management of deployed assets, etc.) and personnel. A mapping system provides the geographic location of the caller/situation in a matter of seconds and defines a security perimeter around the site. It also provides a visual display of the local environment (buildings, roads, specific risks, etc.).
“The type of system we decided to implement is a highly effective solution that enables us to anticipate the most appropriate responses, save valuable time and deploy crews and equipment as effectively as possible — ultimately helping us to save more lives,” said Colonel Delannoy, Director of the SDIS 95 district fire and emergency services. “We now have one of the most advanced call handling centres in France.”
“We’re delighted to have contributed to the implementation of this project in Val d’Oise,”
said Pierre Maciejowski, Managing Director of Thales Security Systems. “The project is a prestigious showcase of Thales’ know-how in security solutions for firefighting and emergency services.”
SDIS: Service Départemental d’Incendie et de Secours
CODIS: Centre Opérationnel Départemental d’Incendie et de Secour

CTA:
Centre de Traitement des Alertes
ISIS 95: Informatisation du Service d’Incendie et de Secours (computerised solution for fire and rescue services, department 95)
About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide, supported by a comprehensive services offering. The group’s civil and military businesses develop in parallel to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. Leveraging a global network of more than 20,000 high-level researchers, Thales offers a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy critical information systems. Thales employs 60,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of €10.3 billion in 2005, with a record order book of over €20 billion.
Thales Security Systems business line designs, delivers and integrates high-technology solutions to protect critical infrastructures for local authorities and corporate and government customers worldwide. These solutions cover all aspects of security, including site and event security, security operation and crisis management centres, secure identification solutions, information system security and environmental security.
The company’s comprehensive services offering ranges from security consulting, architecture definition and complex systems integration to complete turnkey solutions including the design, installation, operation and maintenance of security systems.
Press contacts:
Thales Security Systems
Michèle Bogatirsky
Tel: +33 (0)1 40 83 23 51
(Credits Thales)

Telespazio recent news

Agreement between Basilicata University and Telespazio
The Basilicata University (Italy) and Telespazio have signed a Joint Agreement paper for mutual cooperation with the objective of the development of important research and educational projects in the field of tele-monitoring, thus allowing wider usage of modern techniques and scientific information for the environmental monitoring.
The agreement paper has been signed, at the Space Centre of Matera, by the Basilicata University’s Rector, Francesco Lelj Garolla Di Bard, and by the Telespazio’s Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Veredice.
Telespazio participates at Posidonia 2006
From June 5 to June 9, Telespazio will participate at Posidonia 2006, the 20th edition of this important international maritime exhibition, to be held at the Hellenikon Exhibition Centre of Athens.
Telespazio will present its complete offer of satellite solutions and services for the maritime sector: from the cruising fleets to the maritime cargo, ferries, oil & gas operators.
In particular Telespazio present details of the SeaOnNet services, solution proposed to navigation companies, and furthermore, will also be presenting Iridium, and Orbcomm services.
(Credits Telespazio)

SUPERPOSER has been presented by the LATUV in the 5th European Congress on Regional Geoscientific Cartography and Information Systems held in Barcelona from 13th to 16th June.

SUPERPOSER is a software specifically orientated at the automatic co-registration of high, medium and low resolution images. Its great power and quality was highly praised by the attendees to the Congress, who also pointed out how easy it was to operate and at the large quantity of services it provides.
SUPERPOSER comes in three different versions:
• The Windows version presents an easy, intuitive interface with several uses: statistical analysis of the points calculated, manual adjustment of the transformation function, edition/ modification of the automatic processing algorithm, creation and recording of algorithms for different uses, previous visualization of the geometric adjustment and possibility of adjusting control points manually.
• The Console version has no graphic interface. Since it can execute different algorithms, it can be called in BATCH thus making image multiprocessing and the obtaining of simultaneous results possible. This version may be modified so that it can be executed in UNIX environments.
• The library version developed in (C++) allows us to include the different and remarkable characteristics of SUPERPOSER in any software development environment so that any user may include the automatic co-registration in his/her normal flux of image processing.
The versatility of SUPERPOSER allows us to develop specific versions adapted to the individual user’s necessities.
SUPERPOSER has been developed within the framework of a cooperation agreement between the LATUV, Remote Sensing Laboratory of the University of Valladolid, Spain, and the IKI, Russian Spatial Research Institute, and it is distributed solely and exclusively by the LATUV.
A demo version as well as two tutorials and comprehensive information on SUPERPOSER can be obtained at www.superposer.eu .
(Credits LATUV)

We are pleased to announce that as of May 15, 2006 RSI will begin doing business as ITT Visual Information Solutions.

RSI has been a wholly owned subsidiary of ITT Industries, Inc. since August 2004. This name change is part of an ITT initiative to create a singular brand identity for all its global operations.
Our commitment to providing the highest quality remote sensing, image processing, data visualization and analysis software remains our top priority, and we will continue to develop IDL, ENVI, IAS and other complimentary products. Our services and support organizations will continue to offer you first class educational services, technical support, and consulting services.
(Credits ITT)

PCI Geomatics®, a world-leading developer of image-centric software and solutions for the geospatial industry, has achieved complete certification for its flagship software, Geomatica®, to be used for processing data from the CARTOSAT-1 satellite, from the Indian government-contracted ANTRIX Corporation.

The CARTOSAT-1 satellite was launched on May 5, 2005 by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). With two panchromatic cameras that deliver a spatial resolution of 2.5 meters, CARTOSAT-1 provides stereo data suitable for advanced, large-scale mapping applications. The data are also optimal for generating digital terrain models (DTMs) and digital elevation models (DEMs).
“PCI Geomatics is pleased to have reached certification for CARTOSAT image correction,” said Peter Hazlett, Product Manager. “This reaffirms our leadership in providing accurate, efficient, robust, and affordable orthorectification solutions. It will be exciting to see users of CARTOSAT imagery save money and build better image products with our software.”
This certification states that Geomatica Version 10.0.2 has complied with all six identified levels, which include: image import and image processing, single image triangulation, stereo pair triangulation, block triangulation for mono imagery, block triangulation for stereo imagery, digital topographic mapping.
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 technology.
For more information, visit www.pcigeomatics.com.
About Antrix
Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of Department of Space (DOS), was incorporated in September 1992 for the promotion and commercial exploration of products and services from the Indian Space Programme. The level of integration Antrix can provide is high, because of the total systems capabilities and by virtue of its position within the triad of government, industry, and the academia. With such an outlay of resources and activities, Antrix is the one source for all the user requirements in the field of Space.
To learn more about Antrix, visit www.antrix.org
Press Contact
Alysia Vetter
Marketing Communications Specialist
Tel: 819-770-0022, Ext. 233
Fax: 819-770-0098
Email: vetter@pcigeomatics.com
(Credits PCIgeomatics) www.pcigeomatics.com