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CloudEO, EOMAP, Fugro Geos, GlobeSAR, Hermess, Hisdesat, Spatial Energy, Stevenson Astrosat, BHO-Legal, NLR, Satellite Applications Catapult

We are pleased to welcome the new organizations as EARSC members:

Full members

  • CloudEO is a small German start-up offering a secure and highly scalable “cloud-based” Geo-Infrastructure to develop, produce and market geo-services. The CloudEO platform is a unique incubation centre for geo-services. CloudEO joins as a small full-member.
  • EOMAP GmbH & Co.KG is a commercial provider in satellite-derived information on aquatic systems, acting worldwide as an operational mapping service provider for the offshore industry and environmental agencies. Pioneering in the field of commercial, satellite-derived high resolution water quality and bathymetry, EOMAP solutions rely on standardized physical models which are independent of scale, sensor type, and geographic location.
  • Fugro Geos is a global leader in the provision of commercial meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) services and systems. These are provided on a fully integrated world-wide basis to meet and support client needs in offshore and coastal environments.
  • Globesar is a Norwegian Earth Observation company. It holds exclusive commercial rights of the SBAS-GSAR software that enables us to provide the customers with surface displacement maps using advanced processing of satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data.
  • Hermess Private owned company developing and providing innovative solutions on environmental issues to the offshore, coastal and harbour sector based on remote sensing data and models.
  • Hisdesat is currently developing a new satellite constellation for Earth observation (PAZ and INGENIO) with some other Spanish players. PAZ is a very high resolution synthetic aperture radar satellite working in X band, planed to be launched in 2014 and INGENIO is a high resolution panchromatic and multispectral satellite, planed to be launched by 2016.
  • Spatial Energy GmbH serves the Oil and Gas industry by providing the right spatial imagery and data content at the right price — which we host and disseminate throughout the organization. As a result, we enable our customers – 5 of the Top 6 Super Majors and 30 of the Top 50 Oil & Gas Companies in the world – to efficiently and effectively manage their workflows throughout the exploration and production lifecycle.
  • Steveson Astrosat has 3 divisions: Earth Observation, Space Communications and Spacecraft systems. The Earth Observation division focuses is on GIS/DEM, quick return on demand imagery, hi- res geo-mapping services and software value add from this – all in multiple disciplines but with a strong focus on renewable and low carbon technology.

Observers

  • BHO Legal is a boutique law firm based in Cologne, Germany, specialized in international space law, EU regulatory law, procurement, IT, Data protection, IPR, R&D and contract law. BHO has been heavily involved in the Copernicus and Gali leo/EGNOS programmes as well as other large Earth Observation Programmes (ENMAP, EDRS), FP7 projects. BHO Legal becomes and Observer member.
  • NLR is the Dutch knowledge enterprise for identifying, developing and applying advanced technological knowledge in the area of aerospace.
  • Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd is one of a network of Catapults established by the Technology Strategy Board, the Satellite Applications Catapult is an independent innovation and technology company, created to foster growth across the economy through the exploitation of space. We help organisations make use of and benefit from satellite technologies, and bring together multi- disciplinary teams to generate ideas and solutions in an open innovation environment.

in conjunction the OGP’s EO Subcommittee Workshop

It has long been recognised that one of the prime mechanisms for the maturation of an industry is the identification and generation of industry norms and standards, increasing both the confidence that customers have in the products and services of the industry and the ability of companies to meet customer needs for the future.

To this end the European Association of Remote Sensing Companies (EARSC), in conjunction with ESA, set up an Industry Best Practice Working Group (IBPWG) to work on the subject of standards and certification for the industry. This resulted in April 2013 in a certification workshop held at ESA premises in Frascati, Italy where is was agreed to publish an industry certification guideline, a Document Requirements Specification (DRD) for EO Product Specifications, run a pilot study to assess the management system requirements identified by the IBPWG and report on the pilot study to the stakeholders invited to the conference.

The pilot activities shall conclude in October 2014 with the assessment of two volunteer companies against the management requirements by an accredited third party certification body.

The objective of this workshop is to report on the above actions, and identify the way ahead for the industry with respect to certification.

Full programme EARSC certification in conjunction the OGP’s EO Subcommittee Workshop
OGP_EO_Workshop_19Nov14_Draft_Agenda.pdf

Certification part
1. Recap of the scheme
2. Report on actions undertaken
a. Publishing of certification guideline and DRD
b. Implementation of pilot
3. Report from pilot companies
a. Flyby
b. Planetek
c. AnsuR
d. Stevenson Astrosat
4. Report from Certification Body
5. Question and Answer session
6. Wider picture
7. The way forward
8. Close

Venue: Head office. Tullow Oil plc 9 Chiswick Park 566 Chiswick High Road London W4 5XT United Kingdom
Ground floor meetings rooms within reception area. Security/registration instructions will be provided
Tullow Oil London-location

Export Markets and Data Access

Export Markets:
A workshop on export of European EO data and services gathered EARSC members and experts on international EO data trade in the afternoon of the 25th of June. Presentations and discussions dealt with ESA programmes with International Financing Institutions, European initiatives to support either specifically the EO sector or SMEs in general in doing business outside Europe. The aim was to gather knowledge to develop further inside EARSC export strategy development.

Data Access:
A workshop on data access has been held aside the AGM, in the afternoon of the 26th of June. The sessions have been organised around an institutional focus, providing information about the actions taken by ESA, EUMETSAT and the EC, and a national ones, providing information about initiatives taken at MS level.

More information available for members at EARSC portal

The Occasion Of The Earsc 25Th Anniversary, Geoville Has Been Presented With The Earsc Company Achievement Award During The Celebration Event Held On 25Th June In Brussels.

EARSC has thereby recognised GeoVille as the company to have made the most significant contribution to the development of the Earth Observation sector in Europe.

The criteria used for the selection of the winning company were:

  • Successful development of EO services for a new market,
  • Strong contribution to defining a European project (e.g. Copernicus, Inspire, ESA GSE projects)
  • Exhibition of good revenue and employment growth over a period of at least 5 years

Nominations for the award were collected from EARSC members who then vote and the winner has been selected by an international, independent jury of EO sector representatives.

GeoVille Information Systems GmbH is an internationally operating company providing consultancy services and products related to Earth observation, geo- information and geographic information systems. GeoVille’s mission is to offer end- to-end EO-solutions with a particular emphasis on providing dedicated geo- information products tailored to customer needs. Our company framework offers an ISO 9001 certified structure that is specialized on the EO market, and has over the last 15 years continuously evolved through a wide range of projects carried out on national, European and international level. At present, GeoVille employs a staff of more than 45 experts and consultants graduated from different fields in natural sciences and informatics. Our staff is multi-lingual, covering a large range of management, technical and scientifically related expertise and has successfully carried out more than 370 projects located in 120 countries around the world. More information on GeoVille is available at the company website, http:// www.geoville.com

EARSC represents the Earth Observation geo-information services companies in Europe. Today EARSC has 65 members coming from more than 20 countries in Europe and including nearly 50% of the total number of European EO service companies. Over 60% of these are small or medium sized enterprises. Our members include both commercial operators of EO satellites and downstream, value-adding companies. The sector plays a key role in providing value-added geo-spatial information to its customers in Europe and the world. In 2012, the revenue of the European EO services sector is estimated to be around €750m and giving work to over 5000 highly skilled employees. The industry is growing at over 10% per annum. More information on EARSC is available at the website, http://www.earsc.org

Notes to editor: This press release and accompanying images can be requested to secretariat@earsc.org

EARSCAwardGeoville(2014).pdf

The 1St EARSC Annual Meeting Was Held On 1St June 1989 In Esa Hq. On 25Th June 2014, On The Occasion Of Its Annual General Assembly, Earsc Members And Invited Guests Celebrated The 25 Years Anniversary Of The Founding Of Earsc With A Party Held At The Comic Strip Museum In Brussels.

Over 80 Guests Were Welcomed By Han Wensink, The Chair Of Earsc, To Enjoy An Evening Of Music, Good Food And Drink And Of Course The Opportunity To Network With Others In The Business.

During The Evening, Two Important Awards Were Made:

Emile Maes Founder And Ceo Of Eurosense Was Presented With The Lifetime Award Recognition For His Outstanding Personal Contribution To The Development Of The Eo Sector In Europe. Emile Maes Was Present At The First Earsc Meeting 25 Years Ago.

Christian Hoffman, Founder And Ceo Of Geoville Gmbh, Was Presented With The Earsc Company Achievement Award Recognising Geoville As The Company To Have Made The Most Significant Contribution To The Development Of The Earth Observation Sector In Europe.

Earsc Wishes To Thanks The Sponsors Of The Event; Eurosense, Airbus, Blackbridge, Cgi, E-Geos, European Space Imaging, Geoville, Gmv, Tre, Dmcii And Planetek

EARSC-25anniversary(2014).pdf

EARSC is a non-profit-making organisation created in 1989 with the mission to foster the development of European Geo-Information Service Industry. Our main objective is to stimulate a sustainable market for geo-information services using EO data. Today, EARSC has 70 members in 23 countries, and is a recognized association both in Europe and worldwide.

EARSC represents the European providers of geo-information services creating a network between industry, decision-makers and users. We consider that the market is at a crucial stage of development as Earth observation becomes more frequently used by society and adds positive value to our daily lives.

Nevertheless, there are many issues, opportunities and threats facing industrial actors and, through a small secretariat, EARSC informs and involves its members though its website and newsletters, through the provision of web-tools, as well as organizing events.

Members tell us that they appreciate the opportunity to network with other similar companies/organizations and that this helps them develop new business opportunities as well as exchanging on best practices. They also like the regular flow of information as well as the knowledge that EARSC is able to influence EU and ESA policy when it is important for the sector.

For our members, the annual membership fee (only 750€/year for small enterprise) is a cost-effective way to stay informed and promote their company among other market sectors and communities. Full details of EARSC membership including fees can be found on the web-site or the nature of our membership

EOPages v2 has been completed and the API has been finalised which will allow other accredited organisations to use the EARSC database on EO suppliers. It will provide the companies with a single location where they can maintain their contact details and capabilities but which can be extracted by other sites to be used in conjunction with their specific applications.


EOpages is a marketplace between the Earth Observation Service Industry & Users. EOpages shows the capabilities of the geo-information industry in general and value-adding companies in particular.

The objective of EOpages is to help potential customers explore the available value-added geo-information services of interest to them in a new and user-friendly way.

More info about the project

In the framework of the 5th EU-Africa Business Forum ending March, a round table with international organizations and private sector has been organised to discuss how to foster business opportunities in the use of space services in Africa. Han Wensink, the EARSC Chairman has co-chaired the session on “Fostering business opportunities in the Space Sector”.

There are certainly possibilities for cooperation in the space sector between Europe and Africa. The indications are also that this cooperation is likely to intensify in the years to come. The challenge now is to understand how to take full advantage of the possibilities that exist, and how to help improve the situation. The Round table served at agreeing on a private sector declaration to be submitted to the Summit.

African and European companies in the field of aerospace and satellite services have been be invited to participate taking the opportunity that the Forum represents an important occasion to discuss business opportunities on both sides.

EARSC has presented:

  • eoservicesAfrica handout
  • In Brief Stories (slides)- Africa.pdf
  • Speech Han Wensink for EABF,April1st2014