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After several delays, the European Space Agency has just put GOCE satellite into orbit. Critical Software worked with ESA in the development of the GOCE satellite which will measure the gravity field and represent models of the Earth with extremely high accuracy and spatial resolution, allowing us to significantly improve our knowledge about solid Earth physics and climate research. The module tests on the software onboard the satellite were performed by Critical.

Coimbra, 19th March 2009 – After several delays, the European Space Agency has just put GOCE satellite into orbit. Critical Software worked with ESA in the development of the GOCE satellite which will measure the gravity field and represent models of the Earth with extremely high accuracy and spatial resolution, allowing us to significantly improve our knowledge about solid Earth physics and climate research. The module tests on the software onboard the satellite were performed by Critical.

The GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite is part of ESA’s fleet of Earth Explorers, which will perform research missions for the Living Planet Programme. These missions focus on the key components of our planet, such as the geosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. The aim is to make space-based global measurements to advance our understanding of the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes. The GOCE mission will therefore improve our knowledge of Earth interior processes such as earthquakes and volcanism but also of ocean circulation, which plays a crucial role in energy exchanges around the globe, and sea-level change.

The GOCE satellite will improve knowledge about the impact that human activity is having on Earth

The development of the GOCE satellite was carried out by an industrial consortium of 45 companies, distributed over 13 European countries, which encompasses Critical Software, requested to support the GOCE Platform Application software Module Test. “As a software testing expert company, Critical has once again demonstrated its abilities to perform software verification and validation, an area in which it has earn respect from other Space industry players in Europe”, says Paulo Guedes, Business Development Manager for Aeronautics and Defence markets from Critical Software.

About Critical Software

Critical is a leading provider of solutions, services and technologies for mission and business critical information systems. From offices in Portugal, USA, UK, Romania and Brazil our global market focus and multinational culture have taken us to penetrate in markets around the globe, enabled us to adapt to the most demanding contexts and made it possible to better understand customer needs and business requirements. Working within a diverse array of sectors we deliver high-quality, expert staff who help our customers achieve and sustain success in all their IT ventures. Time and again, our customers value our honesty, in-depth knowledge and partnership approach, which together ensure excellent results. Being vendor-independent, enables us to accurately select and recommend the most suitable and costeffective third-party technologies to each customer specific requirements. The company operates a quality management system certified to CMMI® Level3, ISO 9001:2000 Tick-IT, ISO 15504, NATO AQAP 150, AQAP 2120 and EN9100.

SOURCE CRITICAL

…Chelys SRRS (Satellite Rapid Response System)…

An extension has been added to the Chelys SRRS (Satellite Rapid Response System), making it possible to automatically orthorectify images. The SRRS is a multimission real-time data processing and quality control system that is able to simultaneously process data coming from several different missions. Even after the orthorectification addition, the system still performs in real time, as the entire correction process takes less than 20 seconds per product. Once the image has been geometrically corrected, its projection can be mapped with absolute precision using a DEM (Digital Elevation Model) to simulate the third dimension. The result is a new, more interactive way to navigate satellite images.
More details and examples can be found at the following link

Other Chelys IT Solutions

SRRS – Satellite Rapid Response System

The Satellite Rapid Response System (SRRS) is an advanced real time processing system for satellite data. One of the main features lies on the his scalability and his capability of managing different kinds of mission. Ideally devoted to the generation of images as closely as possible to the colours found in nature, the SRRS includes advanced functionnalities for analysis and data quality control.
details…

Meridian – Meris Display and Analysis tool

Meridian is a visualization tool to display Meris products. Main features of the tool are the fast rendering of all levels images (including Level 0) and the advanced memory management h3. methods used allow to view all Meris products images in a very fast way, it is possible to load huge amounts of products without taking care of the memory installed in the computer.
details…

Envisat Control Panel

The first product developed by Chelys for the Envisat project; this tool was intended to support the Integration and Validation activities on the Payload Data Segment of Envisat satellite (PDS).
details…

OCD Management Tool

The OCD Management Tool provides the user with a graphical Interface (Human-Machine Interface, HMI) to ease the management and modification of Envisat CMC and GSP facility configuration files (OCD).

MAS – Multimission Analysis System

The Multimission Analysis System is a tool that provides users with a graphical interface to show time-based events. The tool allows to analyse any kind of log/trace files in order to extract sensible information that can be displayed in several ways. For any information it’s possible to apply general purpose filters or to develop data specific filters to be included in the application. Data can be retrieved also remotely through FTP protocol.

Ground Segments Maintenance Site

Developed to support the integration, testing and maintenance phase of the PDS (Payload Data Segment) of Envisat, the tool evolved and is now the core of the maintenance and test group activities, supporting the configuration management of hardware/software items and all the project-related documentation.
details…

Weather Conditions

Developed to perform tests with SOAP interfaces, this small utility, distributed as freeware, is useful to monitor the weather conditions of a specified location on the earth. The application also generates a set of statistics through the sampling of temperature, pressure and humidity.
details…

SOURCE CHELYS

CONTACT
CHELYS srl
Via Erasmo Gattamelata, 3, 00176 Rome – ITALY
Luca Mellano, Director
Tel: +39 06 78 400 24 /Mob: +39 34 72 720 398 / Fax: +39 06 62 275 199

…investigate the new dynamic map applications of water quality products…

WAQSSWater Quality Service System: a service for coastal management provided by Brockmann Consult

The service portfolio consists of 3 different products categories:
-Standard products
-Special products
-Special requests

Standard products are basic products of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, definded by Brockmann Consult and offered to every user. The special products and requests are specially designed to the needs of the different end users. The requirements of the users are specified between the users and the WAQS team at Brockmann Consult and are determined in so called Service Level Agreements (SLAs) between both parties.

More info at WAQSS

SOURCE Brockmann Consult

… (Feb, 2009. Spain) UAV services, workshop contributions…

On the 24th of January, 2009, a violent wind storm battered the North of Spain, with gusts of wind of over 120 km/h in some areas according to METEOCAT, the Catalan Metereological Service.

In particular, Catalonia had some regions severely affected, being the most dramatic incident in Sant Boi de Llobregat, where a sports centre collapsed killing four children.

The outcome of the storm left houses cut off with hundreds of fallen trees over roads and tracks, developments and quarters without electricity supply for weeks and several damages in personal properties.

In order to have a thorough report about storm damages and to have a full overview of the extent of the works to be carry out by local administrations, Aurensis was entrusted a study of the area with UAV Services.

Our UAV Services

Aurensis’ UAV Services are Earth Observation services carried out with small aircrafts flying without a pilot and operated via remote terrestrial control. These unmanned aerial vehicles obtain high-resolution images, video and thermal information and are especially devoted to survey emergencies such as fires and storm damages, locate people in areas with a difficult access, survey civil works and infrastructure and to make cartography of delimited areas.

The results are real-time information, as images of the area can be obtained while the aircraft is flying in order to evaluate the situation, as well as georeferenced data and georeferenced video can be delivered in very short time, and orthophotos and cartography in just a week.

In case of fires or situations where the temperature differential is a key factor, a thermal map can be obtained to locate burning points, different types of vegetal cover, illegal spills in coasts and rivers and self-combustion in rubbish dumps.

Results of UAV Services in Catalonia

The result of Aurensis’ flight over the area affected by the wind storm in Catalonia produced a high-resolution video and georeferenced photographies where the damage caused by the wind could be easily assessed: roads and tracks cut by fallen trees were identified, as well as the municipal and private properties, greenhouses, crops, etc., affected.

With just one click, the responsible of recovery programmes could locate exactly on a map the area where the photography or video was taken, having a full view from the air of the scope of the damage.

Later on, Aurensis was ordered a fast orthophoto to accurately measure the area so recovery programmes plans could be optimized.

Benefits of UAV Services

The simplicity of the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) imply that the aircrafts are undetected, are environmentally respectful, can be operated more frequently as they are easily launched, and can perform dangerous missions as they do not jeopardize the life of any pilot and, as a whole, are more economical than other traditional services.

Aurensis’ UAV Service is especially useful for managing emergencies in specific areas, as immediacy in these cases is a must. Photographies and video are taken while the flight is being carried out, with a full view of the area from the air. As well, orthophotos and cartography are obtained in very short time, with the exact location on a map of critical aspects to be surveyed.

Videos taken through UAV can also be reused for different purposes. In case of civil works for example, public administrations can advertise their civil work programmes with theses services.

About Aurensis

Aurensis, is a leading European company in the sector of New Technologies applied to Territory. Aurensis offers global solutions for fixed or mobile asset management: from digital cartography through satellite imagery, photogrammetric flights or UAV to the development of computerized solutions combining GIS, location and telecommunications services and the provision of satellite broadband telecommunication services.

Auresis, is part of the Telespazio Group, one of the world’s leading satellite operators. The group has more than 1,700 employees, sites in 25 countries, 4 spatial centres and a turnover of 394 mil € in 2007.

www.aurensis.com

Media Contacts
marketing@aurensis.com
Tel: +34 935 830 200

More Aurensis News at

Projects in 2008-2009: Environmental Research Funders Forum Mapping Study of Coordination Bodies and Department of Energy and Climate Change Review of GECC


Environmental Research Funders Forum Mapping Study of Coordination Bodies (2008-2009)

Assimila is undertaking a review of coordination bodies in environmental science. The purpose of the review is to identify gaps and overlaps in coordination in order that ERFF may target its activities more effectively.

The Environmental Research Funders Forum (ERFF) is an initiative of 19 major UK public-sector funders of environmental research in order to maximize the coherence and effectiveness of UK funding for environmental research, monitoring or observation, policy development and training. Assimila is supporting ERFF in a study of coordination bodies for environmental science in the UK. The study has identified and categorized a large number of coordination bodies and consulted with the major ones to establish a clear view of their scope, objectives, membership and methods of operation.

The study will include an analysis of gaps and overlaps which will enable ERFF to target its own activities more effectively.

More information can be found on the ERFF WWW site

Department of Energy and Climate Change Review of GECC (2008-2009)

Assimila is undertaking a review of the Global Environmental Change Committee (GECC) for DECC. The review is based on a consultation of GECC members and stakeholders and will identify how well the GECC has been meeting its aims and objectives, recommending changes where appropriate

Source Assimila

RapidEye, the only geospatial solutions provider to own and operate their own constellation of Earth observation satellites, announced today their partnership with the Moscow based company Sovzond.

They will be the only distributor of RapidEye satellite imagery for markets in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uszbekistan, Kyrgystan, and Turkmenistan. The agreement was signed this week between Mr. Vladimir I.

Mikhaylov, Sovzond’s Director General, and RapidEye’s CEO, Wolfgang G. Biedermann. “We are happy to work with RapidEye,” said Mr. Mikhaylov. “We see huge revenue potential as we have customers from different markets such as agriculture, forestry, water resources, topographic mapping, emergency and local government. They are waiting for the data and we are looking forward to expedite the business for RapidEye in our markets. The role of remote sensing and geospatial solutions in the countries we are serving is growing every year. People want to know more about the world they live in, governmental projects on spatial data infrastructures are underway and the need for more information, quicker and of higher quality is expanding and growing.”

John Ahlrichs, Vice President of RapidEye, comments: “Sovzond is a perfect match for us to reach out to this region that covers both Europe and Asia. There is an enormous demand for satellite imagery in these markets and we are happy to team up with Sovzond to leverage their expertise in selling satellite data and reaching out to our potential customers. Their team is also well experienced and RapidEye as well as our customers will benefit from their motivated team.”

RapidEye will mark the start of its commercial operation in Russia at the III International Conference Remote Sensing – the Synergy of High Technologies. The conference will be held on April 15 – 17, 2009 in Moscow and RapidEye will give a presentation, show imagery samples and demonstrate how RapidEye imagery and services can be combined with projects.

Currently, RapidEye is working on completing its worldwide network of distributors in order to facilitate their customers easy access to RapidEye products in their own language and region. For a full list of RapidEye’s distributors, please visit www.rapideye.de/home/about-us/distributors-partners/.

About SOVZOND

SOVZOND JSC, a private sector enterprise founded in 1992, began its activities by providing services centering around digital remote sensing data processing and mapping. These services were soon combined with information system technologies. Today, SOVZOND offers a broad range of applications, ranging from geodata procurement (satellite data, DEM, land use and land cover data), value adding processing, data processing and software development to the provision of turn-key technical assistance projects and customized spatial land management and monitoring systems.
For more information about Sovzond please visit http://www.sovzond.ru/en

About RapidEye AG

RapidEye is an ISO 9001:2000 certified geospatial information provider focused on integrating customized and industry specific solutions into the workflow of global customers in agriculture, forestry, energy, infrastructure, government, security, and emergency. RapidEye experts and the satellite system – a constellation of five satellites capable of downloading over 4 million km² of high resolution, multi-spectral imagery per day, and a ground segment for processing and archiving data – allow for cost-effective customized services. The unique combination of large area coverage, high spatial resolution and the possibility of daily revisit to an area provide for superior management information solutions. Currently, more than 100 experts from more than 20 countries are employed by RapidEye, with plans to grow the team to 140 by early 2009.
RapidEye benefits from a public-private partnership with the Space Agency of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), which is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. RapidEye is also cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). For more information on ERDF please contact efreinfo@mw.brandenburg.de
For more information about RapidEye, please visit www.rapideye.de

RapidEye Contact
RapidEye AG / Molkenmarkt 30 /
14776 Brandenburg a. d. Havel, Germany /
Toll Free (US): +1 800 940 3617
Phone: +49 3381 8904-0 |
Fax: +49 3381 8904-101 |
press@rapideye.de
www.rapideye.de

RapidEye is a “Selected Landmark in the Land of Ideas” and therefore part of the event series “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas”. This program is run by the initiative “Germany – Land of Ideas” and Deutsche Bank. Being a “Selected Landmark” RapidEye will stand for Germany being a “Land of Ideas” in 2009 and will demonstrate Germany’s spirit of innovation. The initiative is under the patronage of Germany’s federal president Horst Köhler. www.land-of-ideas.org

PCI news onOGC, image processing, …


April

PCI Geomatics Named to Branham300 List of Top ICT Companies

March

PCI Geomatics Becomes OGC Strategic Member

High Performance Image Processing – PCI Geomatics Releases ProLines GeoImaging Server

February

Intermap Technologies Partners with PCI Geomatics to Provide High-resolution Map Data Worldwide

PCI Geomatics Unveils Latest Version of Geo-Imaging Software

Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) selects geospatial web conferencing technology from PCI Geomatics

Dr. Robert Moses elected as Chairman of the Global Advisory Council for OGC

PCI Geomatics Extends Market Reach in China with Beijing Space Eye Innovation Technology Co. Ltd.

A world first covering over 75% of global land surfaces

Toulouse, 1st April 2009 – Spot Image and Infoterra, subsidiaries of EADS Astrium, are launching the World’s first online service at www.express-maps.com to deliver detailed basemaps covering over three quarters of the Earth’s land surfaces. This unique service creates basemaps at a scale of 1:50 000, which can be delivered electronically to users in the space of just 6 hours.

This service is principally aimed at first responders — civil protection agencies, as well as military and humanitarian aid teams — in crisis management situations. EXPRESSMaps supplies detailed and precise maps of an area of interest derived from recent, very-high-resolution archive satellite imagery. The ability to obtain such maps quickly and easily is also vital to meet the critical logistics requirements of prospecting, exploration and operations teams working in remote regions. EXPRESSMaps includes a special multi-licence for NGOs offering the same delivery times, making it easier for them to pool resources and rendering operations more effective on the ground.

Accurate and detailed maps are one of the first things that are called for in the event of a disaster or for military operations. To meet this requirement, and to offer a service that is as universal as possible, Spot Image and Infoterra have combined their expertise to conceive, develop, test and market the EXPRESSMaps service. From the moment the user selects the map area via a dedicated web portal to delivery of files, which in turn can be printed out or loaded into GIS software, every step in the process has been designed with speed and simplicity in mind.

As of mid-2009, EXPRESSMaps’ coverage zone spans 100 million sq.km., including more than 75% of land surfaces (outside the USA and Canada, for which very accurate, recent maps are available). This is made possible using SPOT 5 satellite data.

An innovative feature of the service is that the entire map production process is patented. Each step is optimised and timed to ensure prompt delivery in all circumstances, whatever the area of interest, all year round.

The 1:50 000 scale was chosen to match the inherent accuracy of the source data and the current accuracy of GPS receivers. This universal scale means maps can be used reliably on the ground and have a footprint of roughly 600 sq.km.

Map content is easily interpreted thanks to a legend designed to fit production constraints. The theme and technical specifications are dictated to a large extent by how the map will be used in the field. The information highlighted on each map is chosen to help people and teams on the ground to navigate as easily as possible.

The ground transportation network is therefore the first layer of information entered. This is one of the map elements that gets the most attention during the data extraction process. Populated areas also get special attention. The population layer comprises five classes, with three for types of housing.

Land occupancy in other areas is rendered by 10 additional classes. Many point features like bridges, dams, airports and ports are also mapped to facilitate operational use on the ground. Lastly, relief is represented by contours with a spacing of 50 metres and by shading. High and low points (roughly 80 on each map) extracted from a digital elevation model are also shown.

EXPRESSMaps is the only service of its kind on the market today. Its ability to supply users with 1:50 000 maps of any point on the globe in under a day marks a revolution in map provision.

This has been made possible by the efforts of Spot Image and Infoterra to establish a set of specifications and production procedures applicable to all kinds of landscapes around the globe. Specific resources for communicating with customers shorten the process and smooth the workflow to ensure map production in record time; a dedicated website lets users open their account in a few clicks, pre-pay for maps with a one-year MapPass and select maps to meet their needs through a specially designed interface.

One Click, one Day, one Map… with EXPRESSMaps, mapping has never been easier.

Contact:

Spot Image
Anne-Marie Bernard
33 (0)5 62 19 40 10
anne-marie.bernard@spotimage.fr

Infoterra
Fabienne Grazzini
33 (0)5 62 19 63 26
fabienne.grazzini@infoterra-global.com

About Spot Image

Spot Image is a world-leading provider of high-added-value satellite imagery and geospatial services. As the commercial operator of the SPOT satellites and a supplier of imagery from a range of other optical and radar Earth-imaging satellites, Spot Image has perfected the ability to harness space- and ground-based systems to meet users’ needs. It has developed a far-reaching global network of receiving stations, partners and distributors to bring geospatial information products and services to public -and private-sector decision-makers worldwide.

Spot Image is 81% owned by Astrium Services, an EADS affiliate.

About Infoterra

Infoterra, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astrium, is a leading provider of geo-information products and services for managing the development, environment and security of our changing world. With entities in France, Germany, Hungary, Spain and the United Kingdom, its customers include international corporations, governments and authorities around the globe, and organizations such as the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Infoterra operates across a comprehensive range of markets spanning telecommunications, environment, security, agriculture, defence, energy and many other sectors besides.

Furthermore, Infoterra holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the high-resolution TerraSAR-X radar satellite and is playing a leading role supplying geo-information services for the European GMES initiative led by the EC and ESA.

Infoterra and Spot Image together form the Earth Observation Division of Astrium Services.Es posible que tu navegador no permita visualizar esta imagen.

A group of Saudi Arabian and European partners has commenced a project to implement and provide satellite based environmental information products and services to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

The environmental monitoring covers all four environmental domains: -land -air -coast -marine and follows previous experience gained in the European GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) programme. The providers are Summit Geoservices (KSA) and a European team lead by GAF and consisting of DLR, Germany and Telespazio, Italy.

Throughout the last decades the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has witnessed rapid development in its economy, industry and population. Environmental concerns are growing. To support PME in its national, regional and international duties including the implementation of the Environmental Law, GAF and partners now commence work on using space technology and satellite remote sensing and provide timely and nationwide information on the status and evolution of the environment. The Environmental Law of the Kingdom authorizes the use of satellite remote sensing to conduct the analysis, comparison and verification of environmental pollution sources and deterioration. Remote sensing shall be used as surveillance tool to detect polluters and to substantiate liability claims.

Services include the development and provision of a number of thematic products and services, the implementation of a geo-portal as well as technical consultancy towards a dedicated GIS and remote sensing centre as important component of a future Environmental Information Management System (EIMS).

Nationwide land use/cover mapping and monitoring will provide important baseline information and detect important environmental changes in the last 2 decades. The air quality monitoring and forecasting service to be developed by DLR and will not only allow national and urban pollution to be monitored and forecasted but also the detection and warning of imported air pollution resulting from trans-boundary transports into Saudi-Arabia. Telespazio will demonstrate near real time oil spill monitoring and damage assessment in a pilot area in the Arabian gulf. Detection of pollution and polluters off the coasts of KSA is a prime topic of interest.

GAF and its partners DLR and Telespazio can draw from their extensive experience in successful application of satellite remote sensing, especially with more than 5 years involvement in GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) the initiative of the European Union (EU) and European Space Agency (ESA) on the development and operational use of earth observation based products and services for the environment.

Project activities for the first phase have started and extend into fall 2009. The GAF team consists of the partners GAF as lead, DLR, Germany and Telespazio, Italy. GAF cooperates with SGS in Saudi Arabia in the performance of this project, which aims at developing a long term European – KSA cooperation in the field of nation wide- satellite based environmental monitoring.

About GAF AG Germany
GAF AG, a Telespazio company, is globally active and has an international reputation as a competent provider of project design, management and implementation services in the fields of geo-information, satellite remote sensing and spatial IT consultancy to private and public clients. Within the past 20 years, GAF has been active in more than 100 countries throughout Europe, Africa, South-America and Asia. More on GAF: www.gaf.de

DLR Germany
DLR is the German Aerospace Centre and has responsibility for all of Germany�s space related activities, including satellite launching, data reception and research at the forefront of modern space based technology. DLR offers through its German Remote Sensing Data Centre cutting edge climate and atmospheric products and related services. For more details please refer to the websites: www.dlr.de/caf and http://wdc.dlr.de

Telespazio Italy
Telespazio SpA is a Finmeccanica/Thales (Space Alliance) owned company active in Earth observation, satellite communication and operation. Telespazio has over 1,300 employees and a direct presence in 10 countries. From 2008 Telespazio, through the E-Geos owned company, is the sole supplier worldwide of high definition radar images from the Italian Space Agency�s and Italian built COSMO-SkyMed constellation of four satellites. For more details please refer to the website: www.telespazio.com

SGS: Summit GeoServices Saudi Arabia
Summit GeoServices is a well reputed KSA based company and provider of GIS software services and solutions to the telecom, power, water, gas, transportation, local government and geospatial industry sectors. Services include independent GIS consultancy, system implementation, data conversion, migration and maintenance, application development, business application integration, managed application services, training and support. Additional information can be found here: www.summit-geoservices.com

*PME*Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Saudi Arabia
PME is the central agency responsible for environmental protection and monitoring in KSA. The Public Environmental Law of KSA assigns the overall responsibility concerning the development of environmental standards, the enforcement of environmental rules and regulations to PME. For more details please refer to www.pme.gov.sa/en

Source GAF

The launch was applauded by staff at SciSys’ offices in the UK and Germany where they have been responsible for the design and implementation of the mission’s critical operational simulator.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the most sophisticated mission ever to investigate the Earth’s gravitational field and to map the reference shape of our planet – the geoid – with unprecedented resolution and accuracy.

The launch was applauded by staff at SciSys’ offices in the UK and Germany where they have been responsible for the design and implementation of the mission’s critical operational simulator.

The Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) was placed into a low altitude near sun-synchronous orbit by a Rockot vehicle launched from Russia on Tuesday 17 March. Data collected from the satellite will provide a high-resolution map of the geoid and any gravitational anomalies. This will greatly improve our knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s internal structure and will also be used as a much better reference for ocean and climate studies, including sea-level changes, oceanic circulation and ice cap dynamics.

The simulator – which makes use of ESA’s software simulation kernel called SIMSAT – is a fully representative software model of the satellite and its payload and plays a number of important roles across the lifetime of the GOCE mission. Dick van der Zee, SciSys Project Manager for the simulator commented

“spacecraft control is critical for any mission and so a simulator is used to train the mission control team before launch in how best to handle the satellite. GOCE is particularly challenging since it orbits at an exceptionally low altitude of just 268 km, resulting in very short ground station passes. Our team has supported a number of full-day and back-to-back simulations and I am pleased that our software worked flawlessly”.

The simulator will continue to be used after launch for routine training and to validate contingency operations in the event of anomalies. SciSys will continue to be involved in the maintenance of the simulator to support its use.

The GOCE simulator continues a successful involvement of SciSys in all of ESA’s Earth Explorer Core Missions. SciSys is developing software systems for ADM-Aeolus for atmospheric dynamics (2010), and EarthCARE to investigate the Earth’s radiative balance (2013). Three Earth Explorer Opportunity Missions will also include software developed by SciSys. These are Cryosat 2 to measure ice sheet thickness (2009), SMOS to study soil moisture and ocean salinity (2009) and Swarm to survey the evolution of the magnetic field (2010).

About SciSys
The SciSys Group is a leading developer of ICT services, e-Business and advanced technology solutions which operate in a broad spectrum of market sectors including space, utilities, defence, government, communication, business services, media and broadcast and transport. Within these markets, the SciSys group has been involved in significant developments in key technologies that have changed the way people do their jobs. SciSys’ clients are predominantly blue chip and public sector organizations. Customers include the Environment Agency, MOD, Thames Water, Astrium, the European Space Agency, the Metropolitan Police, the BBC and Deutschewelle. The group has offices in Chippenham, Bristol and Reading in the UK and in Bochum, Darmstadt and Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany.

In the UK the group conducts its business through SciSys UK Ltd, in Germany through the wholly owned subsidiary VCS AG which was acquired by SciSys in September 2007.

Additional information about SciSys is available at: http://www.scisys.co.uk/

For more information, please contact:

Chris Lee, SciSys Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1179 165165 Email: Chris.Lee@scisys.co.uk