Skip to content

RapidEye AG and Dniprocosmos State Company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this month, joining together an arm of the Ukrainian Space Agency and RapidEye in a strategic partnership.

(Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany, July 10, 2008).

This agreement will allow for the promotion of RapidEye’s products and services in the Ukraine.

“We are excited about this agreement, as it will further enhance awareness of RapidEye, and provide us with expert insight into the Ukrainian markets,” commented Axel Penndorf, one of RapidEye’s European Sales Representatives. “Dr. Voloshyn and his team at Dniprocosmos have an incredible knowledge base and may eventually assist with some of our product development specific to eastern Europe. We’re proud to have them as a partner.”

Collaboration between the two companies has already begun with the discussion of pilot projects designed especially for the agriculture and cartography industries.

About Dniprocosmos State Company:
Dniprocosmos State Company, located in Dnipropetrovsk, provides earth observation technologies for commercial and administrative use in Ukraine. Being a special-purpose branch of the National Space Agency in Ukraine, it introduces technologies for use of Earth observation data, thus linking space systems products with end users.

Dniprocosmos also provides preliminary processing of “raw” data received from national and foreign satellites, including multispectral image processing using non-standard
methods and algorithms and processing of satellite images in order to classify geographical areas (landscape, land cover elements classification etc.). The archive of Dniprocosmos provides operative and long-term satellite images storage, data search and Internet access to its electronic catalog and satellite images distribution.
Further information may be obtained from:http://dniprokosmos.dp.ua

About RapidEye:
RapidEye is an ISO-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. In the summer of 2008, RapidEye will launch a constellation of five satellites capable of downloading over 4 million km² of high resolution, multi-spectral imagery per day. For more information please visit www.rapideye.de

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

Office in Beijing and MoU Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth


PCI Geomatics Beijing

Richmond Hill, Ontario – July 9, 2008: PCI Geomatics®, a world leading developer of software and solutions for geospatial imaging applications, is pleased to announce plans to launch a new international office in Beijing, China. The new company, PCI Geomatics Beijing, will offer PCI Geomatics technology, services and solutions (under special license), for both the private and government sectors and will be led by Mr. Yubin Xin as Country Manager.

PCI Geomatics has sustained an extensive relationship with the Chinese market, established through a team of geospatial resellers throughout the country. PCI Geomatics Beijing will concentrate on providing imaging solutions to the geospatial market in China while continuing to work with our resellers.

“PCI Geomatics Beijing allows us to dramatically expand our efforts in providing the best technology and expertise to the people of China,” said Yubin Xin. “We look forward to offering our automated image pre-processing solutions (ProLines), as well as our image management and on demand mapping solutions to this marketplace.”

“PCI Geomatics continues to meet the demands of an ever changing industry – and with the opening of this office later in 2008 along with the exciting growth in the Chinese market, we are ideally suited to serving the Chinese geospatial community with our expertise,” said Dr. Robert Moses, President and CEO of PCI Geomatics.

The PCI Geomatics Beijing office will open for business in the latter part of 2008.

PCI Geomatics signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth

(Richmond Hill, Ontario – May 14, 2008) PCI Geomatics announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth (CEODE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Under the terms of the MoU, collaborative plans are outlined for the development of an initial project for a Wetland Environment Monitoring and Applications System in China, with additional projects under review. The MoU highlights the purpose of the first project, which is to automatically monitor and analyze wetland areas with radar imagery focusing on the use of RADARSAT-2 imagery.

Established in November 2007, CEODE offers a national service for the acquisition, processing, archiving and distribution of airborne and spaceborne remote sensing data. In partnership with other institutions, the center engages in research on the scientific and technical development of geospatial information and Digital Earth.

“We are very pleased to have PCI Geomatics as our strategic partner,” said Prof. Guo Huadong, Director-General, CEODE. “We fully believe that the collaboration between the two organizations will make fruitful future progress.”

“We are delighted with the strategic collaboration between PCI Geomatics and CEODE,” said Dr. Robert Moses, President and CEO, PCI Geomatics. “The joint efforts of both organizations will help to benefit both the environment and the people of China.”

About the Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth

The Center for Earth Observation and Digital Earth (CEODE) is an independent non-profit research institute affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). It is responsible for the provision of national service for the acquisition, processing, archiving and distribution of airborne and spaceborne remote sensing data. In partnership with other institutions, CEODE also engages in research on the scientific and technical development of geospatial information and Digital Earth.

For more information, visit

About PCI Geomatics

PCI Geomatics is a world leading developer of software and solutions for geospatial imaging applications. For over 25 years we have specialized in remote sensing, digital photogrammetry, spatial analysis, cartographic production, automated production systems, image management and on demand mapping solutions. Our flagship software Geomatica® enables users with the necessary tools to address a wide variety of industry applications including sustainable agriculture, forestry management, wetlands, carbon management, public security, disaster management and more. PCI Geomatics technology turns images into useful information for effective decision making.

For more information, visit www.pcigeomatics.com

Press Contact
Alysia Vetter, Marketing Manager
Tel: 819-770-0022, Ext. 233
Fax: 819-770-0098
Email: vetter@pcigeomatics.com
Web: www.pcigeomatics.com

The MFB-GeoConsulting Team is proud to present our new website based on innovative database driven web-technologies to our audiance.

Have a look, download support or product infos, see the new image galleries associated to our news reports, recommend our site to a friend, or give us some feedback: we are happy to welcome you as a visitor onboard !

Your MFB GeoConsulting Team
Source MFB

Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has announced the purchase of further shares in Spot Image from the French Space Agency (CNES). This is a significant deal resulting in Astrium holding 81% of Spot Image and therefore becoming the majority shareholder.

(Farnborough, 15 July 2008). As part of Astrium, Infoterra & Spot Image will work together within the Earth Observation Division of Astrium Services. This purchase reaffirms Astrium’s commitment to strengthening its presence in the entire Earth observation value chain – satellites, spaceborne & airborne data, ground segment, application solutions and information management & distribution.

With the Earth observation industry undergoing significant change, Astrium Services’ growth strategy, consistent with EADS’ objectives to strengthen its services portfolio, will offer real opportunities for Spot Image and Infoterra. Earth observation services, combined with other components of Astrium Services (secure telecommunications and navigation), will help create integrated capabilities to address new markets and deliver additional value across the business.

“Taking the majority stake in Spot Image is in line with Astrium’s strategic initiatives to build a strong European group acting internationally,” said Eric Beranger, CEO of Astrium Services. “Broadly, our objective by bringing together application and service activities, is to significantly develop this business area by demonstrating the benefits that geo-information can bring for monitoring and managing the Earth’s assets. In short, a full range of Earth observation solutions enables leaders to make better decisions about our world.”

Spot Image has achieved commercial success for more than 20 years, delivering satellite-based geographic information and services. This is the longest track record of all satellite operators in the Earth observation industry. As a world leader, Spot Image has continually adapted its products and services to deliver solutions to meet the needs of customers – both public and private – on all continents. Today, users benefit from a wide range of satellite data, receiving & processing infrastructures, and value-added solutions.

“The Earth observation market has shifted in the past years from an industry dominated by a small number of experts to a truly commercial, competitive market serving operational applications,” said Hervé Buchwalter, CEO of Spot Image. “The change to Spot Image’s shareholding will reinforce the company’s ability to launch new programmes underpinned by a PPP logic driven by private investors. So continuing our commitment to support the development of space services and deliver additional benefits to our customers.”

As the exclusive operator of the SPOT optical satellite constellation and strategic partner for other satellites, (the Korean 1 metre KOMPSAT-2, the Taiwanese 2 metre FORMOSAT-2 and others), Spot Image, and its 5 subsidiaries, offer the most comprehensive range of satellite data and services in the market. Spot Image is preparing for the planned launch of the Pleiades constellation (2 agile, 50 cm resolution optical satellites) in 2010 and the development of a high resolution sensor to ensure SPOT 5 service continuity beyond 2012.

Already, Spot Image and Infoterra Group enjoy a privileged relationship through the development of joint products and services in many sectors such as, mapping, security, agriculture and telecommunications. This collaboration has recently been reinforced with the start of Infoterra’s commercial business operations for the TerraSAR-X radar satellite, which paves the way for developing and marketing new combined optical-radar offerings.

Spot Image will remain an independent French company with its individual brand and unique long-standing relationships with direct receiving stations, value-added resellers and distributors worldwide.

About Astrium
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2007, Astrium had a turnover of 3.5 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services.

About Astrium Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium, offers a unique ‘one-stop-shop’ in the satellite services market, with unrivalled capability and expertise in secure communications, Earth observation services and navigation services. The European provider of milsatcom services, including the pioneering Skynet 5 service, and a world-leading supplier of geo-information products and services, Astrium Services meets its customers’ requirements with innovative and highly competitive end-to-end solutions.

About Infoterra Group
Part of Astrium, the Infoterra Group is a leading provider of geo-information products and services for managing the development, environment and security of our changing world. With companies in France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and Hungary, its global customers include international companies, national, regional and local governments and authorities throughout Europe, and organisations such as the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Infoterra holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the German radar satellite TerraSAR-X, and plays a leading role in geo-information services within the European GMES initiative of the EC and ESA.

About Spot Image
Spot Image (81% owned by Astrium) is a world leader in the provision of satellite imagery and geo-information value-added services. Spot Image has established subsidiaries in the USA, China, Singapore, Japan and Australia, with a sixth planned for summer 2008 in Brazil. As the commercial operator of the SPOT satellites and provider of imagery from other optical and radar satellites, Spot Image has successfully harnessed a range of space- and ground-based systems to meet customers’ needs. The Spot Image group leverages a global network of ground receiving stations, partners and distributors to bring geographic information, products and services to public- and private- sector decision makers worldwide.

About EADS
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of 39.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division.

Press Contacts
For Astrium:
Matthieu Duvelleroy FR – Tel: +33 (0)1 77 75 80 32
Jeremy Close UK – Tel: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872
Robert Klarner GER – Tel: +49 89 607 29821
Francisco Lechón SP – Tel: +34 91 586 37 41
For Infoterra Group:
Sarah Haslam UK – Tel: +44 (0)116 273 23 79
Nathalie Pisot FR – Tel: +33 (0)4 97 23 23 46
Mareike Doepke GER – Tel: +49 (0)7545 8 3924
For Spot Image:
Jennifer Newlands FR – Tel: + 33 (0)5 62 19 40 09

Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence™ company, today announced it teamed up with Sydney-based Lagen Spatial to deliver highly-integrated image analysis solutions and services, especially to governmental customers.

(July 2, 2008). Lagen Spatial conducts consulting business, software distribution and reselling for spatial or location based technologies. The company is distributing data and services – from core GIS to imagery and ETL solutions – all over Australia as well as in South Pacific and South East Asia. Under the terms of this partner agreement, Lagen Spatial becomes an authorized Value Added Reseller of Definiens. It will distribute Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence™ Suite and related geospatial applications and services in Australia and in the Pacific countries.

“Committed to providing the best geospatial products and services, we are delighted to add Definiens image analysis software to our offering”, said Brett Madsen, CEO of Lagen Spatial. “These high-end products will enable us to automatically extract knowledge from digital images and provide our customers with reliable information to – for example – create impervious surface maps.”

Definiens provides the cutting-edge technology for analyzing and interpreting images on every scale, and is the perfect match to Lagen Spatial’s geospatial solutions which include consulting, support, software development and systems integration. Future and existing customers in the government sector, particularly in city councils, will benefit from Lagen Spatial’s enhanced offering – which also includes local contact persons, regional support and market insights.

Lagen Spatial’s strong market presence as well as its network of potential customers and key players in Australia will also strengthen Definiens position in these regions.

“Australia and the Pacific region represent a strategically important and booming market for our products and technologies,” says Ralph Humberg, VP Business Development at Definiens. “By partnering with Lagen Spatial, a well-positioned company with in-depth expertise in providing geospatial solutions and services, we are confident that Definiens products will make further significant inroads into these markets.”

About Lagen Spatial
Lagen Spatial are specialist GIS consulting and solutions providers, and has client base in all three levels of government, as well as utilities, engineering and resource companies. Further information can be found on the Lagen Spatial website www.lagenspatial.com.au.

Definiens in Earth Sciences
Definiens enables organizations involved in Earth Sciences to quickly extract accurate geo-information, ready for use in GIS, from earth observation and remote sensing imagery. Definiens’ intelligent feature extraction capabilities accelerate mapping, change detection as well as object recognition and deliver standardized, reproducible image analysis results.

About Definiens
Definiens is the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence company for analyzing and interpreting images on every scale, from microscopic cell structures to satellite images. The Definiens Cognition Network Technology®, developed by Nobel laureate Prof. Gerd Binnig and his team, is an advanced and robust context-based technology designed to fulfill the image analysis requirements of the Life and Earth sciences markets. The technology is modeled on the powerful human cognitive perception processes to extract intelligence from images. Definiens provides organizations with faster image analysis results, allowing deeper insights enabling better business decisions. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany and has offices throughout the United States. Further information is available at www.definiens.com.

Definiens, Definiens Cellenger, Definiens Cognition Network Technology, Definiens eCognition, Enterprise Image Intelligence and Understanding Images are trademarks or registered trademarks of Definiens. All other names are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Press contacts:
-Definiens: Eva Tietz, Manager Corporate Communications
etietz@definiens.com
-Lagen Spatial: Ben Crockett
bcrockett@lagenspatial.com.au
+61 2 9527 9592
-Lucy Turpin Communications GmbH: Eva Hildebrandt
definiens@lucyturpin.com
+49 (0)89 417761-14

St. John’s, NL – C-CORE and Kanata based Vantage Point International (VPI) announced that they have completed the C-CORE acquisition of VPI’s assets.

(2 June 2008). C-CORE is a Canadian corporation providing applied research and engineering services to Government and natural resource industries worldwide. VPI is a privately held company that specializes in radar and satellite monitoring services to defence, space and environmental markets.

C-CORE President and CEO, Dr. Charles Randell, said VPI employees and business are an excellent fit with C CORE’s strategic plan for further expansion in the space and defence markets.

“The VPI client base is a natural fit with C-CORE’s markets in Defence R&D, satellite monitoring, and specialized radar engineering services. We’re very pleased to be in a position to make this investment. The acquisition positions C-CORE as one of the largest satellite monitoring companies in Canada, and creates new avenues for growth. Expansion in government Defence, Security and Environment sectors are a key driver. This acquisition gives C-CORE a presence right on those customers’ doorstep.” said Dr. Randell.

VPI President, Ron Saper, said “The combined capabilities and resulting corporate strength will position C-CORE to serve the growing market for radar engineering services. I’m pleased to see that VPI’s clients and personnel are in good hands with a company that understands our core business.”

Paul Adlakha, C-CORE Director of Marketing stated that a C-CORE Ottawa office will benefit many of C CORE’s existing and emerging clients. “We’ve been asked about increasing our presence in Ottawa for some time. This acquisition certainly addresses that request and helps us support our clients even better. Our growth and repeat business over the past few years has confirmed that we’re doing things right and solving our client’s problems, so this acquisition is a solid investment in that growth.”

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
For further information, please contact:

Contact: Paul Adlakha, P.Eng.
Director, Marketing
+1 902 448 7278
Paul.adlakha@c-core.ca
C-CORE

BMT Group Ltd announced today its acquisition of ARGOSS, a leading specialist provider of marine environmental information services, using satellite observations, meteorological and oceanographic data.

(May 2008). This latest addition to BMT’s international portfolio of companies brings a crucial new capability to the group. With ARGOSS’s long-standing expertise in supporting planning, design and forensic investigations and forecast data to support customer operations, the group is now positioned to take advantage of growing demand in these fields.

ARGOSS provides downtime analysis and feasibility studies, making use of cutting edge in-house models and databases of waves, wind and tides. It also offers efficient, cost effective solutions for the mapping and monitoring of water quality, bathymetry and coastal morphology through the use of satellite observations.

All of these services will soon be linked and integrated with specific applications software from BMT’s existing suite of offerings, thereby enriching the service provided to the group’s customers across the maritime, energy, transportation and defence sectors.

Han Wensink, Managing Director of ARGOSS, said:

“There is a growing industry need for access to long-term archived, near real-time and forecasted information to support offshore and coastal activities and reduce operational risks. ARGOSS will extend its industry leading knowledge globally through the combinations of its particular expertise with BMT’s access to broad international markets and existing offshore technology capabilities.“

The union addresses a need for easily accessible, quality checked and certified basic environmental data and information products and systems, services and value added services.

A wealth of scientific environmental data is available within space agencies, universities and other public/governmental organisations, but it remains difficult to secure access to this information. BMT and ARGOSS aim to address this gap, whilst also becoming a major private sector player in value-added atmospheric services for governmental agencies and the construction, transport, food and insurance sectors.

Peter French, Chief Executive of BMT Group Ltd, said:

“BMT has worked with Han and his team at ARGOSS for some time, on a number of very successful projects, so this announcement consolidates a productive link between our two companies. Across the group we have some expertise in this area and have long supported a Chair in Marine Informatics at Reading University, in the UK but see this as a significant step forward in expanding our capability and enhancing our offering to
customers.”

The history of ARGOSS and BMT collaboration has been ongoing for a number of years and includes a diversity of projects in a variety of market sectors:

  • Metocean studies to support design of offshore structure in Bohai Bay, China and pier design for the island of Boracay, Phillipines
  • Bathymetry in the Gulf of Khambhat North, route analysis in Qatar and tow analysis for floating dry docks
  • Metocean studies for four platform locations in the North Sea, including extreme value analysis of wind and waves
    - Input wind fields for Oil Spill Information System (OSIS)
    - Oil spill trajectory modelling – Nigeria and Tobago
  • Hindcasts and historic wind and wave information in support of investigations of maritime accidents for a number of locations around the world including the Red Sea
  • Wind and solar radiation data to support current modelling for areas in the Middle East and around Australia

Souce Argoss

Aerodata International Surveys (Antwerp, Belgium) and Vexcel Imaging GmbH (Graz, Austria) are pleased to announce a purchase agreement under which Aerodata will become the first customer for 2 of the newly launched 196 megapixel Ultracam-X prime (UCXp) large format digital frame camera.

(July 9, 2008) The agreement has been signed ceremoniously by both parties at the ISPRS 2008 conference in Beijing, China. The agreement once again underscores the innovative nature of both Aerodata and Vexcel.

Aerodata was one of the original launch customers of the Ultracam-D in August 2003 and started operating the first system already in February 2004.

Presently Aerodata owns 3 Ultracam platforms and operates these on many European, African and Middle East projects. These systems already captured a total of over 500.000 images until now.

Today once again Aerodata has become launch customer for the state of the art UCXp system, thereby confirming their continued confidence in Vexcel’s product line.

Aerodata continues to build up and streamline capacity through leverage of the Ultracams, combined with vast expertise as aerial survey operator and an easy integration into the impressive Aerodata Pixel Pipeline workflow.

The full integration of Vexcel cameras and the Aerodata Pixel Pipeline (NAS clustered storage and processing array, nearly 200TB of space and distributed processing over tens of cores) makes for a winning concept of speed and economy, which benefits both the customer and Aerodata.

Source Aerodata-Surveys

Ukraine is one of few countries that possess complete package of technologies and have experience in designing, development, manufacturing, testing, launching and operating satellites.


Activity of Ukraine in satellite development domain

Yuzhnoye State Design Office is the prime developer of the satellite systems in Ukraine; it closely cooperates with the manufacturer of the satellites – Production Association “Yuzhnyy Machine-Building Plant” and with the organization that is operating satellite systems – “National center of SC control and testing”.

The first satellite of SDO Yuzhnoye’s development was launched on March 16, 1962, and about 400 satellites were launched since then.

The most important direction of scientific and applied studies was research of the near-earth space and the Earth planet which was performed by means of spacecraft designed on the basis of the unified platforms (DС-U1, DС-U2, DС-U3 – small platforms of the first generation; АUОС-З, АUОС-SM – automated universal orbital stations).

During 1965-2001 53 scientific spacecraft were injected into the orbit. Their efficiency was a determinative factor due to which these SC were accepted as the basic SC in the “Intercosmos” Program.

In 1977 Yuzhnoye SDO started development of the “Okean”_satellite subsystem, _“Resurs” operational system. The first satellite from this series “Okean-OE” solved the tasks related to principle possibility of acquiring the required information and its transmission to a consumer; the next spacecraft “Okean-O1” and “Okean-O” provided the global optical, radar and microwave imaging that allowed to solve the range of the national economy’s problems by the Earth remote sensing.

Declaration of independence of Ukraine considerably changed the situation in the space domain. Therefore the launch of the first Earth Remote Sensing Satellite under jurisdiction of Ukraine – “Sich-1” required solving the tasks related to creation of national infrastructure of control, data acquisition and processing facilities and facilities of the acquired information distribution, as well as preparation of customer network in Ukraine. All these tasks were successfully solved within short period of time – less than two years.

“Sich-1” satellite was launched on August 31, 1995 and demonstrated its high efficiency. “Sich-1M” satellite had considerably improved specifications of the observation systems, both in optical and radio bands.

“Mikron” experimental microsatellite developed by Yuzhnoye SDO was used for testing the new technological solutions integrated into the space platform in the interest of the Earth remote sensing using microsatellites.

In 2001 Yuzhnoye SDO won the tender on development of Egyptsat-1 satellite, ground control station and data receiving technologies for the Arab Republic of Egypt. The Project also envisaged training of the Egyptian specialists and technology transfer in designing, developing and manufacturing of satellite, as well as satellite control training.

Yuzhnoye SDO in cooperation with Ukrainian enterprises developed project documentation and design documentation, conducted experimental testing of satellite’s components and satellite as a whole as well as ensured its manufacturing and pre-launch processing.

On April 17, 2007 the Egyptsat-1 satellite was injected into orbit by “Dnepr-1” LV from Baikonur launch site; the satellite successfully passed flight tests and currently it is performing imaging of the Earth surface.

Yuzhnoye SDO constantly monitors development of new technologies in Earth remote sensing, maintains close contacts with the partners, searches for new scientific and industrial contacts in order to be at the forefront of this direction of cosmonautics and meet the highest requirements of the customers.

Perspective Earth Remote Sensing Satellites made in Ukraine

Currently, Yuzhnoye SDO is finalizing creation of the Ukrainian optical-electronic observation satellite “Sich-2”:

Configuration of the satellite payload includes the following:

- The multi-zonal scanner that ensures obtaining of digital images of the Earth surface in panchromatic, green, red and near-infrared spectral bands having ground resolution of 7,8 m in swath of 46,6 km; – Scanner of medium infrared band that ensures obtaining of digital images of the Earth surface in medium infrared spectral band with the ground resolution of 39,5 m in swath of 55,5 km.

Pointing of scanners to the necessary parts of the Earth surface is performed by rotation of the whole satellite.

Launch of “Sich-2” satellite is scheduled for 2009. The satellite will be injected by “Dnepr-1” Launch-Vehicle into sun-synchronous orbit with altitude of 668 km. Active life time of the satellite on orbit should be no less than 5 years.

With the purpose of ensuring further advancement of Remote Sensing Satellite Systems the National Space Program of Ukraine envisages creation of the following satellites:

- Optical-electronic observation satellite “Sich-2M” with ground resolution higher than 2 m:

- Optical-electronic observation satellites “Sich-3” with ground resolution higher that 1 m and radar observation with ground resolution higher than 2 m.

Ukraine is open for international cooperation including developing countries, and proposes the following ways of cooperation:

1. Creation of the Earth Remote Sensing Satellites, and ground control complexes for these satellites;
2. Creation of ground complexes for acquiring and processing information from the Earth Remote Sensing Satellites at the territories of the interested countries.
3. Performing launches of the Earth Remote Sensing Satellites for the interested countries.
4. Joint operation of the Earth Remote Sensing Satellites in the interests of Ukraine and the interested countries.
5. Training specialists of the interested countries and technology transfer of designing, development, manufacturing and operation of satellites.

The Ukrainian scientific project “ІОNОSАT” – monitoring natural and man – caused catastrophes on the basis of a cluster of microsatellites for multi-positional measurements of ionosphere parameters.

The Project consolidates the existing experience of the Ukrainian space organizations and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for creation of state-of-art ionosphere satellite Project.

The purpose of the Project is to inject into orbit a series of clusters in 3 scientific satellites configuration for global monitoring of the ionosphere parameters. Satellites are created based on subsystems and engineering solutions space proven in order to reduce costs of the Project development and creation of a multi-purpose space platform for global space monitoring system.
The Project is open for international cooperation and could be developed with involvement of foreign partners.

Method of multi-positional measurements based on 3 closely located satellites (satellite cluster) in contrast to the single-point measurements by one satellite, enables to separate spatial and time changes of the measured values. Accommodation of scientific equipment on the cluster satellites will ensure a series of fundamentally new experiments important for understanding of physical processes with the maximal possible level of electromagnetic purity and higher accuracy of measurements.

Taking into consideration the worldwide trends in ionosphere studies it supposed to solve the following scientific tasks: registration of ionosphere phenomena, analysis of large-scale electric field, small variations of magnetic fields, energy-angular distributions of energetic charged particles, characteristics of heat and superheat plasma in ionosphere.

Initial phase of the space system creation will be performed based on the orbital constellation of 3 satellites (one satellite cluster) located in one plane, which will be injected into orbit by one launch-vehicle.

In future, global monitoring satellite constellation could be deployed based on 6-8 satellite clusters (18-24 satellites). The number of planes will be finally determined upon results of the experimental phase of the space system creation.

Directions of works for international cooperation are the following: investing in the project development, creation of interstate project, participation in forming scientific part of the project, results processing, project ground support, creation of space experiments devices, acquiring and using information from the onboard scientific complex, participation in deployment of the satellite constellation for global monitoring.

Thales Alenia Space is ready to deliver the high-resolution (HR) optical imaging instrument for integration in the first Pleiades earth observation satellite.

(Cannes, July 9, 2008). The Pleiades project is part of ORFEO*, a joint Franco-Italian initiative by the countries’ national space agencies CNES and ASI, marking a major technological advance in optical earth observation systems. The dual-technology program addresses both military and civil needs for European users, including mapping, volcano monitoring, geophysical and hydrology studies, urban planning, etc. As prime contractor for the Pleiades system-in particular the ground segment-CNES selected Astrium as satellite prime contractor and Thales Alenia Space for the imaging instruments.

The Pleiades optical high-resolution imaging instruments offers enhanced resolution of 70 cm over a wide swath (20 km) in both the visible and near infrared bands. This very high resolution instrument also introduces significant innovations such as the highly-integrated detection sub-assemblies (SEDHI), while also reducing volume three-fold compared to previous generations. The instrument provides very high dimensional stability thanks to a concept combining a carbon/carbon structure (material insensitive to moisture and with a very low coefficient of thermal expansion) and Zerodur mirrors. To optimize in-flight performance, the instrument has an innovative thermal refocusing system, eliminating the need for a complex mechanism.

The absence of this mechanism plus the satellite’s own enhanced performance (satellite pointing/tilting capabilities, downlink transmission rate of 450 Mbit/s) means a significant increase in mission performances.

The first flight-model instrument is now ready for delivery, after successfully passing its environmental tests. The performances of optical and radiometric tests, as measured in a Class 100 clean room in Cannes-the level required for this class of instrument-are excellent. The instrument will be integrated on the first satellite flight model, which will then undergo checks at Astrium’s facility in Toulouse.

The two Pleiades observation satellites have a design life of five years and offer a high degree of in-orbit agility thanks to their maneuvering capability. They will be able to acquire a series of images both along the swath or across the swath to create a veritable mosaic of ground scenes. They are scheduled for launch in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The Pleiades contract confirms Thales Alenia Space’s position as the European leader in very-high performance, very-high resolution imaging instruments. The new instrument leverages the broad array of competencies that Thales Alenia Space has developed during major programs, including payloads for Helios I & II for very high geometric resolution, the Vegetation instrument (on board Spot 4 and 5) and the MERIS instrument (on board Envisat) for high-resolution geometric and radiometric imaging of land and ocean surfaces. Thales Alenia Space also built the IASI Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Instrument on board METOP, enabling French national weather service Méteo France to significantly improve weather forecasting accuracy.

ORFEO*(Optical and Radar Federated Earth Observation)

About Thales Alenia Space
The European leader in satellite systems and a major supplier of orbital infrastructures, Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%). Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the “Space Alliance”. Thales Alenia Space sets the global standard for space-based telecommunications, radar and optical Earth observation, defense and security, navigation and science. Thales Alenia Space has 7,200 employees and 11 production plants, with operations in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.
www.thalesaleniaspace.com

Posted in Space Race News