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Spot image is leading the PARAGE project, funded by the French ministry of agriculture and fisheries. Project partners are IRD, which is lead science organization; CIRAD, and private firm SIGbea.

Spot image is leading the PARAGE project, funded by the French ministry of agriculture and fisheries. Project partners are IRD, which is lead science organization; CIRAD, and private firm SIGbea.
Under land and resource management regulations, farming institutions urgently need reliable and current spatial information about farming systems. Such information must enable them to locate, characterize and track how these systems are evolving and interacting with urban and natural environments, and to assess their regulatory compliance.
The chief aim of the PARAGE project is to help public institutions and organizations to observe and analyse the impact of farming practices on the natural and urban environment using satellite data in combination with existing data and expertise.
The project’s 3 pilot sites in French Guiana, Martinique and Guadeloupe are expected to generate map products and build a demonstrator based on a geographic information system (GIS).
As well as project coordination and tracking, Spot Image’s main missions are to supply SPOT and QuickBird imagery and expertise, including:
• reviewing user needs and assisting drafting of map product specifications with CIRAD and IRD
• functional specifications for a prototype decision-support system with SIGbea
• disseminating and promoting results among the user community
SPOT imagery of French Guiana and the French West Indies will be acquired directly at the receiving station recently set up on site for the SEAS project.
We will be bringing you the latest news of key project milestones here in this section during the course of the PARAGE project, which is scheduled to run for 18 months.
(Credits Spot Image)

Envi and IDL new module

ENVI
ENVI Spatial Feature Extraction Module – Coming Soon!
Scheduled for late summer release, this new add -on module for ENVI provides a suite of easy-to-use tools for extracting linear and area-based features from high resolution panchromatic and multispectral imagery. Image analysts and GIS users, from entry-level to expert in experience, can use the tools in this module to extract similar features across large images. For more details see: http://www.ittvis.com/envi/addons_sfemodule.asp?nl=r
IDL
IDL Export Bridge Assistant Module
IDL 6.3 introduces a new add-on module to IDL for seamless integration to COM and Java environments. The IDL Export Bridge Assistant Module provides users with pre-built tools to take advantage of IDL‘s data visualization and analysis power in COM and Java applications.
(Credits ITT)

NEO, Netherlands Geomatics & Earth Observation B.V., enters into a partnership with Aerodata International Surveys by signing an aeroGRID® Reseller Agreement.

NEO will focus mainly on using the imagery in change detection projects.
In these applications the use of full digital imagery in 16-bit/band and in colour and colour-infrared leads towards the best results. Up to date geo-information is of increasing importance and rapid change detection analysis on recent existing aerial imagery can provide this.
(Credits Neo)

Leica Geosystems Geospacial Imaging (LGGI) and MFB-GeoConsulting as there local distributor for Switzerland are pleased to announce the installation of Leica SW-Solutions at UNOSAT Cern Site.

Both sides have agreed so serve UNOSAT with Leica SW Solutions under special conditions for the non-profit consortium working under the umbrella of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). All provided SW tools are used mainly in humanitarian relief, disaster prevention and post crisis reconstruction.
The UNOSAT core team consists of highly qualified UN fieldworkers as well as satellite imagery experts, geographers, database programmers and internet communication specialists. This unique combination gives UNOSAT the ability to understand the needs of there users and to provide them with suitable, tailored solutions.
Under the framework of the agreement MFB-GeoConsulting provided UNOSAT with the latest version of ERDAS IMAGINE® 9.0. IMAGINE 9.0 offers high-end geospatial image processing for an enterprise environment, leveraging the capabilities of spatially-aware databases such as ESRI ArcSDE and Oracle Spatial 10g. Furthermore the new Leica Virtual Explorer 3.0. – developed to facilitate collaborative decision making through 3D visualization and sharing of geospatial information – was installed. Leica Virtual Explorer seamlessly integrates terabytes of spatial data into an interactive digital earth that can be distributed to thousands of users worldwide. Technical support for UNOSAT experts is guaranteed by MFB-GeoConsulting whenever requested.
UNOSAT agreed to announce MFB-GeoConsulting & Leica Geosystems Geospacial Imaging Division as official UNOSAT Partner on www.unosat.org
For further information please call or send a mail to MFB-GeoConsulting
Eichholzstrasse 23, CH-32545
Messen (Schweiz)
Tel. +41 (0)31 765 5063
Fax +41 (0)31 765 6091
About UNOSAT
UNOSAT is a United Nations programme created to provide the international community and developing countries with enhanced access to satellite imagery and Geographic Information System (GIS) services.
It is a programme of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) implemented in co-operation with the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). In addition, partners from public and private organizations constitute the UNOSAT consortium funded by ESA‘s Earth Observation Market Development Programme, together with the Centre National d‘Etudes Spatiales of France (CNES) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
UNOSAT procures geographical information products for UN agencies and the international humanitarian and development communities, having struck deals with leading data providers, as well as value adding companies who work to turn raw satellite data into usable products and maps. UNOSAT also employs satellite data in ongoing development projects in various locations. UNOSAT is a partner of the RESPOND Consortium – a GMES Services Element (GSE) activity working with the humanitarian community to improve their access to maps, satellite imagery and geographic information. www.unosat.org

About MFB-GeoConsulting
MFB-GeoConsulting GmbH – on marked since in 1999 – is specializing in “Solutions in Geographic Imaging” for optical and radar earth observation. The company’s services do cover a complete range of distribution services including the full range of earth observation data as well as, software solutions for image processing, photogrammetry, 3-D visualizations (exclusive sales partner for Leica Geosystems in Switzerland) and 3-D hardware components. Furthermore we provide advanced services for project management and realization, training and education.
The integration and interfacing of image and auxiliary geo data with geographic information and database management systems including the data transmission (field-to-office) is one of the strength of MFB-GeoConsulting. Depending on the customer’s need, we offer customer-adapted solutions. Our highly specialized team has a long-term experience in applied remote sensing and earth observation. For further information please contact www.mfb-geo.com.
About Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging Division
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, LLC 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 airborne sensors, 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. For more information about Leica Geosystems or its products and services visit www.gi.leica-geosystems.com

Simon Cantrell recently joined LogicaCMG UK, and his first role as Project Manager was to kick-off a study looking at End to End Data Security Concepts for GMES.

This work is aiming to help ESA understand what data security issues are and how they can best be tackled considering the operational characteristics of GMES, its chain of data providers and its users. The “end-to-end” nature of the study requires the LogicaCMG team to consider all security issues. It will look at how security affects the control and management of satellites (operated by different organisations), the tasking of space borne sensors, through payload data reception and on to management of the derived environmental and surveillance information provided to government and non-government users.
Simon joined LogicaCMG in May 2006, after working in the US on the NPOESS program for 7 years, including managing the development of EO data processors. Previously he was at EOS Ltd. for 4 years, developing various EO Search/Order tools. Prior to that, he worked at Logica (before its merger with CMG) as a software developer on MoD projects. Simon graduated from the U. of Warwick in 1986 with a BSc in Electronic Engineering, and earned an MBA from the U. of Maryland in 2001.
(Credits LogicaCMG)

Tele-Rilevamento Europa (TRE) is pleased to announce that an article on the results obtained from the processing of 33 Radarsat scenes acquired over New Orleans was published in the 1st June issue of the international scientific journal nature.

TRE, in cooperation with the Universities of Miami and Lousiana, applied the PS technique to create the first space-derived map of subsidence in the greater New Orleans region (the study area was approximately 1,500 km²), in the three years leading up to Hurricane Katrina.
The study found that some parts of the levee system that suffered a failure during Katrina subsided more than 25 mm/yr between 2002 and 2005. The average decrease was about 6 mm/yr.
News carried in:
CNN »
BBC »
About TRE
Milan-based Tele Rilevamento Europa, TRE, is the first spin-off company of the Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) University. It was conceived to deliver the PS Technique- patented by POLIMI in 1999- to public and private sector customers. The PS Technique is a unique tool that detects, measures and monitors different geophisical phenomena (e.g. subsidence, uplift, landslides, seismoc faults, etc.). It also monitors the stability of individual structures.
TRE complements its commercial activities by extending the academic research of POLIMI in PS into applied research and development of new products.
For more information contact:
Managing Director
+39 02 434321
(Credits TRE)

FIFA 2006 Football World Cup stadiums through the eyes of SPOT 5

Munich
Munich stadium is where the opening match of the FIFA 2006 World Cup will be played. This all-new stadium, with its large diamond-shaped translucent panels, is one of the most spectacular and unusual in the world of football. Near the new stadium, the Olympiapark site of the old Olympic stadium will accommodate broadcasting teams, stewarding of supporters and many other activities during the competition.
Hamburg
Work on the all-new Hamburg stadium began in March 1998 with the demolition of the old Volksparkstadion. The new stadium with a capacity of 56,114 received a five-star rating from UEFA—the maximum—and is officially recognized as one of the best football grounds in Europe.
(Credits Spotimage)

From 2000, EDISOFT has been holding the engineering responsibility of LSA SAF (Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility), one of the most prominent remote sensing and satellite ground system projects sponsored by EUMETSAT.

In the Earth Observation field, it is pertinent to highlight EDISOFT’s engineering responsibility on the ground segment for the Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility (LSA SAF), representing one of the seven new EUMETSAT Satellite Applications Facilities.
The LSA SAF is a remote sensing and satellite ground system project, sponsored by the EUMETSAT organisation, lying within the SAF EUMETSAT network.
Its goal is to perform land surface analysis for biospheric parameters’ determination by increasing the benefits from the data collected by the new MSG and EPS satellites. The system creates, archives and distributes fourteen products (related to land, land-atmosphere interactions and biosphere applications) to the international community, derived from the collected satellite images and other inputs.
EDISOFT’s participation in this international consortium, led by the Portuguese Meteorological Institute, began in June 2000 and holds the responsibility for the whole project’s engineering component.
Currently, the LSA SAF system is running the Initial Operations Phase (IOP) that will end by February 2007. In March 2006, the LSA SAF consortium presented a proposal to EUMETSAT for LSA SAF Continuous Development and Operations Phase (CDOP), being thus ensured this project’s continuity into 2012.
LSA SAF Main Engineering Characteristics
Configurability/Maintainability – each component of the system can be individually configured to set its behaviour – the configuration can be done in run-time.
Scalability – the system accommodates future expansion due to the fact that it is based in distributed components that can be implemented in different computer languages and can be run in different machines and operating systems but all communicating through standard interfaces implemented in a CORBA middleware.
• Portability – all used programming languages and tools are portable among different computer/operating system solutions. All software was designed to be portable. The system was built with a clear separation between the XML Configuration files, the application interface and the application itself. It was used the Adaptive Communication Environment (ACE) framework to program low-level operating systems features like threads, timers and so forth, in a portable way. A portable CORBA implementation was used for the communication among the system components.
• Openness – new machines, running old, updated or new algorithms can be added to the system without any impacts. This can also be done in already existing machines.
• Re-usability – the system was built in a modular, component based way that can be easily re-used to develop other ground systems
• Efficiency – The system was designed with a cache for the most used data and with a pre-processor for the common data. The communication among components was minimised. Moreover, as the system is fully distributed, and each component is fully autonomous, it is possible to add new products to the system without affecting its performance. It is also possible to place the most demanding algorithms in machines tailored to the specific algorithm demands.
• Availability – The system was designed with two chains, one operational and the other redundant. The system is able in run-time and without human intervention to detect failures at the machine and component level replacing them in the operational chain.
(Credits Edisoft)

Besides being an abundant source of agro- and hydrometeorological data, the EWBMS system of the Dutch remote sensing company EARS is used for drought and desertication monitoring, crop yield forecasting, water resources assessment and river flow forecasting. EARS is providing services and systems in these fields. After implementation in the Yellow River basin, the company has just signed a cooperation agreement to implement the system for flow forecasting and water allocation in the Yangtze.

Specializing since 1977 in hydro- and agrometeorological monitoring, EARS has developed its own value added remote sensing technology and corresponding niche in the market. Its Energy and Water Balance Monitoring System (EWBMS) uses geostationary meteorological satellite data to operationally produce quantitative data fields of surface and air temperature, surface albedo, global and net radiation, actual and potential evapotranspiration as well as rainfall. Visible and thermal infrared data received hourly from geostationary satellites like Meteosat, MSG and FengYun2c are used as input. The products, generated at national to continental scales, have one pixel spatial resolution and daily to yearly temporal resolution. The system is the first operational source of actual evapotranspiration data in the world. Such data were not available before, but are of key importance in hydrology and agriculture.
With the EWBMS data two significant market oriented applications have been developed. The first one is in the field of crop yield forecasting, known as FAST (Food Assessment by Satellite Technology). FAST is capable of providing crop yield forecasts at pixel, provincial and national level halfway the growing season. In the framework of the GMES project Global Monitoring for Food Security (GMFS) many national and regional crop yield forecasting bulletins have been provided to FAO and WFP in support of their crop and food assessment missions. For the FAO Global Information and Early Warning System it is their earliest source of quantitative crop yield data.
The second application of the EWBMS is in water resources monitoring and river flow forecasting. The precipitation and evapotranspiration data are used to feed a distributed hydrological model, thus providing an early simulation of down stream flow volumes. This hydrological monitoring system is currently being implemented in the Yellow river basin. As the Yellow river originates on the Tibetan plateau, where during half a year temperatures are below zero, the EWBMS system has been extended to deal also with snow storage during winter and snow melting in spring. Recently EARS, in combination with its partners, has reached agreement with the
Changjiang Water Resources Commission to implement the system also in the Chang (Yangtze) basin, the third largest river of the world, which covers 30% of China’s land surface. Here the system will particularly be useful for monitoring the effects of huge water works such as the 3 Gorges dam and the sourth to north water diversion.
The EWBMS is an abundant source of quantitative hydro- and agro-meteorological data. The data are spatially continuous, synoptic, uniform and objective and most of all they are very cost-effective. The system is very suitable for implementation in developing countries where measuring stations are usually scarce. But also in Europe and other developed regions the EWBMS may be of use, as real time data availability is known to be the main limiting factor in hydrological modeling.
EWBMS map of relatice (actual/potential) evapotranspiration during 2000
For more information please contact: andries.rosema@ears.nl.
(Credits EARS)

Critical Software SA signed a contract for the provision of automatic medium-resolution burnt scars mapping to the Forest Resources Directorate of the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture. The maps are based on medium resolution Earth Observation data from the sensor MODIS distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey.

This innovative and completely automatic methodology combines EO data with land-cover information to produce daily burnt scars maps with minimum mapping unit of 48 hectars. Data can be exported to various raster and vector formats and can be easily visualized in applications like Google Earth.
This information is very valuable for the daily estimation of the damage caused by forest fires at a national and regional level. The processing chain does not require any interaction with human operators or image interpretation experts. The maps provide an objective assessment of the situation on the ground, even in remote locations. This product represents a very useful complement to the reports of the fire fighters and civil protection authorities who deals with hundreds of fire events at the same time.
Critical is currently considering to extend the automatic burnt scars mapping service to other geographic regions, in Europe and worldwide.
Critical Software provides reliable IT solutions for
critical systems. The company was funded in 1998, with offices in
Southampton (UK), San Jose (USA), and head quarter in Coimbra
(Portugal). Main business areas are Aerospace, Defense, Industry and
the Public Sector. Staff is 120.
Critical is listed in the “2005 Europe 500 Scoreboard” of the fastest growing industries in Europe.
Premfite website at www.premfire.net
For any additional information, please contact Mr. Andrea Pelizzari
phone +351-239 989 100