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Astrium announced that it has entered into a joint-venture with the Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICC), the Catalan official mapping agency, and Hisdesat, a space services provider, to create Infoterra Servicios de Geoinformación SA (Infoterra SGSA).

Infoterra SGSA will form part of the Infoterra Group, a leading provider of geo-information products and services based on Earth observation data. The new company will expand an already strong European organisation present in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Hungary.

The company will be the exclusive distributor of TerraSAR-X high resolution radar data for the Spanish market. Infoterra SGSA will also develop GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) services, applications for agri-environment and defence & security, and support international mapping projects. Finally, through access to the resources and assets of its three shareholders, Infoterra SGSA will develop datasets from airborne acquisition, as well as radar and optical satellite imagery to deliver a comprehensive range of geospatial products.

“Being able to call on expertise from all Infoterra entities, ICC and Hisdesat, Infoterra SGSA will offer its customers a portfolio ranging from data acquisition & processing to sophisticated geoinformation services. We are all very excited about this new venture and convinced this will contribute to a positive development of the Spanish Earth observation market“ said Marc Tondriaux, CEO of Infoterra Group and Chairman of Infoterra SGSA. “With the growing need for geospatial solutions, this venture supports our strategy of strengthening the Infoterra Group’s position as a key player in Earth observation business” continued Marc Tondriaux.

Astrium holds 60% of the company, while ICC and Hisdesat equally hold 20% of the shares. The Board of Directors has appointed Mr Joan Romeu as the General Manager. Mr Joan Romeu, previously International Sales Manager at ICC, brings more than 20 years experience in the field of mapping and geo-information.

The company, which has offices in Madrid and Barcelona, expects early commercial successes in 2008 and will work towards becoming one of the key players in geo-information in Spain within the next 5 years.

www.infoterra.es
www.infoterra-global.com

About Infoterra Group
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, 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 operates across a comprehensive range of markets – communications, environment, security, agriculture, defence, oil & gas exploration and many more. Furthermore, 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.

Astrium Services
Astrium Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS 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.

Cartographic Institute of Catalonia (ICC)
ICC is the official mapping agency of Catalonia. Its activities are related with land studies from different approaches such as the production of different map series, research and information distribution and diffusion. In addition, ICC can carry out projects wherever is requested by other public or private entities. Main ICC’s activities are: topographic maps, data acquisition, photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems, geodetics and positioning systems, thematic mapping and atlases, territorial boundary marking, Catalonia map library, research programs, cartographic publications, etc.

About Hisdesat
Hisdesat is a space services provider company meeting the needs of government users in satellite communications and earth observation fields. Its main purpose is to acquire, operate and commercialize governmental satellite systems, mostly for communications in X and military Ka bands. HISDESAT owns and operates the satellite SPAINSAT and joint together with Loral Space and Communication the satellite Xtar-Eur. HISDESAT is the military satellite communication operator for the Spanish Ministry of Defence and others European and NATO countries.

Media Contacts
Infoterra
Nathalie Pisot (Infoterra FR) Tel: +33 (0) 4 97 23 23 46
Sarah Haslam (Infoterra UK) Tel: +44 (0)116 273 2300
Mareike Doepke (Infoterra GER) Tel: +49 (0)7545 8 3924
Astrium
Rémi Roland (Astrium FR) Tel: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 37
Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Tel: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872
Mathias Pikelj (Astrium GER) Tel: +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23
Francisco Lechon (Astrium ESP) Tel: +34 (0) 91586 3741

This contract reaffirms the Government’s trust in Indra, who previously developed the ground segment of the Helios Earth Observation programme

Indra will develop, integrate and implement the ground segment of the Pleidaes, a French constellation of high-resolution optical satellites for Earth observation, for the Spanish Ministry of Defence. The contract amounts to 13.7 M euros and is to be concluded in three years.

The systems to be implemented by Indra, will allow the Spanish army to make wide use of the information supplied by civil and military satellites involved in this space programme promoted by France, of which Spain owns a 3% stake. The first satellite is expected to enter orbit by the end of 2009 and the next one in 2011.

The company will design, develop and start up the necessary systems for satellite imagery collection, the treatment for final products and the programme to request information from the satellites. The system will be located in the airspace systems centre for observation (CESAEROB) in the Air Force Base in Torrejón.

The satellites will be able to catch images at submetrical level. Once both satellites of the constellation are into operational service, building 3D imagery with a higher performance and enhanced quality will be possible, which means a qualitative leap for The Army.

The Spanish Army observation of the Earth and cartography will be more efficient, using these images as a means for taking measurements for tactics and intelligence affairs.

This contract reaffirms Indra’s know-how and capacities acquired in the ground segment within the Helios programme for Earth Observation and shows The Ministry of Defence’s trust in the company. In the Helios programme, Indra was responsible for the development of the software to manage, prepare and save images as well as for the acquisition modules, product generation and process, among other components.

Indra is Spain’s first IT multinational and one of Europe and Latin America’s most important. It is the second European company in its sector according to stock market capitalisation and it is one of the three Spanish companies with more investment in I+D. In 2007, revenues exceeded € 2.167M; a third part of it came from the international market. The company employs more than 23.500 professionals and has developed projects in more than 93 countries.

Source INDRA

Gisat has successfully concluded first year acting as service provider in the RESPOND project – focusing on delivery of geospatial products for humanitarian and development aid. Gisat has utilized its previous experiences in this area and became the first partner from the new EU members joining this alliance.

Gisat on AlertNet

In addition to being available on the Respond website, all Respond Phase 1 mapping, including Gisat products, is now available on the Reuters Foundation award winning* website AlertNet. Respond partners Reuters and ITUK have been working closely together over the past 2 months to develop the capability of displaying Respond maps as soon as they are published to the Respond website. This will increase the number of users accessing Respond services with over 25,000 daily visitors and 400 NGO’s currently signed up to use the AlertNet services.

RESPOND is an alliance of European and International organisations working with the humanitarian community to improve access to maps, satellite imagery and geographic information. RESPOND aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the European and international humanitarian relief community through the appropriate and reliable application of geographic information. It is led by Infoterra UK Ltd as the “Prime Contractor. Gisat has joined the RESPOND team in 2007.

RESPOND is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the European GMES initiative – a joint approach of ESA and the European Commission – as GMES service supporting humanitarian relief, disaster reduction & reconstruction.

To find out more about Respond, please visit website.
To find out more about Reuters AlertNet visit their website.

*Reuters AlertNet is a humanitarian news network based around a popular website. It aims to keep relief professionals and the wider public up-to-date on humanitarian crises around the globe. It was started in 1997 by Reuters Foundation – an educational and humanitarian trust – to place Reuters’ core skills of speed, accuracy and freedom from bias at the service of the humanitarian community. AlertNet has won a Popular Communication award for technological innovation, a NetMedia European Online Journalism Award for its coverage of natural disasters and has been named a Millennium Product by the British Government—an award for outstanding applications of innovative technologies.

RESPOND Czech 2007

During 2007, Gisat has joined as service provider partner the RESPOND – a strong team with a proven reputation in delivery of geospatial products for humanitarian and development aid. Gisat has utilized its previous experiences in this area and became the first partner from the new EU members joining this alliance taking on board also two Czech humanitarian NGOs – Adra and People In Need – as service users.

In total, Gisat has provided during Phase 1 (2007) production 31 mapping products of various thematic scope and scales, both in softcopy (raster digital data and vector layers usable in GIS environment) and hardcopy versions (paper maps). Regionally, the 2007 production covered user activities in Africa and Asia (see examples in image galery). Major beneficiary of our RESPOND services has been People In Need (PIN) and ADRA CZ. Certain capacity is also left for European users (e.g. DG RELEX, DG ECHO) and UN users via UNOSAT (e.g. Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in 2007). All GISAT production can be found on the RESPOND Map Catalogue

The map catalogue contains over 450 map entries dating back to 2004, which are available as low, medium or high resolution jpeg images. They can also be viewed directly as a Google Earth overlay. Full GIS layers are also available for selected regions such as Sumatra. Detailed information about each map entry can be found including satellite date used, map producer, date published, bounding coordinates and other details.

RESPOND is an alliance of European and International organisations working with the humanitarian community to improve access to maps, satellite imagery and geographic information. RESPOND aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the European and international humanitarian relief community through the appropriate and reliable application of geographic information. It is led by Infoterra UK Ltd as the “Prime Contractor.

RESPOND is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the European GMES initiative – a joint approach of ESA and the European Commission – as GMES service supporting humanitarian relief, disaster reduction & reconstruction.

For more information please visit the RESPOND website

“Responsible for the protection of soils in Lower Saxony, the State Authority for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) looked for a comprehensive land take monitoring service. The products generated by GeoVille through the ESA-GSE Land project fitted our needs but were limited to certain regions. Therefore we decided to order these geo-information products for the entire State as critical input to our soil information system.” Dr. Marion Gunreben – LBEG; Hannover, Germany

Introduction

Mitigation of climate change impact by integrated spatial planning is a key element to limit human and socio-economic loss, where, for example, land take by urban growth may lead to increased flood impact through faster run-off. The impervious area and sealing level service within GSE Land offers a solution to monitoring urban growth and soil sealing at the spatial level of administration. It provides spatially referenced and consistent information in support of reporting obligations. The regional administration of Mining, Energy and Geology of Niedersachsen in Germany (Landesamt für Bergbau, Energie und Geologie Niedersachsen – LBEG) has ordered and financed an assessment for the region of Weser-Ems. It was among the first public organization employing this new Earth Observation (EO) intelligence to help mitigate the impact of climate change.
GeoVille Group is task manager of the “Impervious areas and sealing levels” application in the ESA-GSE Land Information Services project and implements together with 3 other service providers (GIM, Indra Infoterra) services in 10 European countries. The ESA GSE Stage 2 Project “Land Information Services” is lead by Infoterra GmbH with the objective to deliver cost effective harmonised and standardised geo-information services on land monitoring.
SPOT satellite data and aerial photography are used to derive geospatial explicit up-to-date and historical information on the extent, development and density of built-up areas. In addition to homogeneous, high quality maps on land cover/use, the information is integrated with ancillary data in GI procedures and models to analyse describe and understand the drivers, pressure, state and impact of land consumption.
Such mapping and downstream products provide views of landtake trends and their impact on representative European areas on the sub-national level. The products describe the pressure, state and impact of urban land-take. They consist of maps, statistics, indicators and scenarios.

Answers to key policy questions include:
• How much and in what proportions is land being taken for urban and other development?
• Where does the most significant land-take occur?
• What are the drivers of uptake for urban and other artificial land development?
• How many people are affected?

Benefits
• Enriching lump statistics with geospatially explicit information
• Guaranteeing European consistency and comparability
• Facilitating the evaluation of policy options
• Improving decision making through better planning information
• Moving from observing and monitoring to policy evaluation

Product roll-out and response

As part of the GSE Land project, the Lower Saxony counties of Hannover, Braunschweig und Lüneburg were assessed. In order to obtain full coverage of the Federal State Lower Saxony the LBEG has financed mapping of the missing areas in the region Weser-Ems (14.965 km²). The data have been jointly produced by GeoVille group and Infoterra GmbH and will be made available through the online GI system of the regional German administration.

“Responsible for the protection and sustainable use of soils and raw materials in Lower Saxony (Germany), the LBEG looked for a comprehensive and accurate land take monitoring service including information about soil sealing. The products generated by GeoVille through the ESA-GSE Land project fitted our needs but were limited to certain regions. Therefore we decided to order these geo-information products for the entire State of Lower Saxony. These quality-assured information products allow large scale synopsis and provide critical input to our soil information system.”
Dr. Marion Gunreben – State Authority for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG); Hannover, Germany

GeoVille Group is a private sector enterprise located in Austria and Luxembourg. GeoVille Group specialises in products and services related to Earth Observation (EO) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications. GeoVille is the leading company in Europe in using satellite data for spatial planning applications

Tel: +43 (0)512 56 20 21-0
Fax: +43 (0)512 56 20 21-22
Email: info@geoville.com
Web : www.geoville.com

Infoterra GmbH has been a leader in development and validation of GMES services, focussing on land monitoring, water quality assessment, flood risk management, and spatial planning applications, for several years. The company holds the exclusive commercial exploitation rights for the new high-resolution radar satellite TerraSAR-X and is part of the Infoterra Group and a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium

Tel: +49 7545 8 4344
Fax: +49 7545 8 1337
Email: info@infoterra-global.com
Web: www.infoterra-global.com

Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence™ company today announced it has teamed up with GEOSYSTEMS France SARL, the leading French provider of remote sensing, photogrammetry, 3D visualisation and spatial data management software solutions and services. Under the terms of this partner agreement, GEOSYSTEMS France becomes an authorized reseller of Definiens technology and will distribute the Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence Suite in France and in French-speaking African countries.

Definiens’ image analysis software is complementary to GEOSYSTEMS France end-to-end solution and services which include consulting, support, software develeopment and systems integration. Existing and future customers will not only benefit from fast and reliable image analysis – independent from data size/volume? and source – but also from local contact persons, regional support and market insights provided by GEOSYSTEMS France.

“Committed to providing the best geospatial products and services, we are delighted to add Definiens solutions to our offering.” said Patrice Lemire, Managing Director, GEOSYSTEMS France. “These market leading products will enable our customers to extract rich information with a high level of automation from their imagery.”

Definiens provides organizations involved in earth sciences with leading technology for analyzing and interpreting images on every scale, from air-borne as well as space-borne sensors and is the perfect match to the French company’s existing portfolio. GEOSYSTEMS France’ strong market presence as well as the vast network of potential customers and key players in France and in the French-speaking African countries will strengthen Definiens position in these regions.

“France and the French-speaking countries in Africa represent a large, strategically important market for our technology,” said Rene Hermes, Vice President Marketing at Definiens. “By partnering with Geosystems France, a well-positioned company with in-depth expertise in delivering geospatial solutions, we are confident that Definiens state-of-the-art products will make further significant inroads into the French markets.”

To best serve the needs of mutual customers, Definiens will provide active marketing and sales support including training, consultancy, rule set development as well as application and other Enterprise Image Intelligence specialists for GEOSYSTEMS France and its customers.

More at DEFINIENS

Geo: International

Add-On Modules – WorldView-1 and TerraSAR-X + PCI Geomatics webinars + Geomatica GeoRaster Loader

Geomatica v10.1.2 introduces two new exciting Add-On Modules – WorldView-1 and TerraSAR-X modules to orthorectify images to extremely high accuracies. Test results show that users can obtain ortho accuracies of up to 2 meters…with no ground control points utilizing WorldView-1 data. For more information, click here

PCI Geomatics webinars are now available for free download. For a listing of topics, click here

Available free of charge from PCI Geomatics – Geomatica GeoRaster Loader- a desktop product used to load image data and associated metadata into Oracle 10g and 11g. Geomatica GeoRaster Loader is a scaled down version of PCI Geomatics’ GeoRaster ETL loading technology. The Geomatica GeoRaster Loader application offers complete access to the GeoRaster storage options with no subsequent operations required. Click here for get your free download

More info at:
Iain MacInnes
Sales Manager Europe & Latin America
Tel: 44 (0) 131 338 6991
Fax: 44 (0) 131 338 6778
Email: macinnes@pcigeomatics.com
Website: www.pcigeomatics.com

EADS Astrium, Europe’s leading space company, has entered into an agreement to acquire the innovative University of Surrey spin-out company Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), which specialises in the design and manufacture of small and micro satellites.

This landmark deal provides the financial and industrial resources required for SSTL’s expansion and future development. Completion of the acquisition is subject to obtaining the relevant regulatory approval.

“In the UK we are renowned for our design and manufacture of telecommunications satellites, interplanetary spacecraft and satellite services provision. SSTL is one of the great success stories of the UK space industry and will be a substantial complement to what we can offer customers around the world with its expertise in small and micro satellites and their innovative approach to developing new markets for space,” said Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK.

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of SSTL, has been an active ambassador for the UK space industry for many years and considers the acquisition as essential: “SSTL operates in a highly competitive global market. If we are to continue changing the economics of space and provide the innovative solutions our customers demand we must expand and maintain our R&D investment. This acquisition strengthens SSTL enormously whilst preserving our unique approach to space.”

Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey commented: “This is a great move for both the University and SSTL. On completion, this will represent one of the largest cash spin-outs from any UK university. It will also allow the Company to realise its full potential as a rapidly growing and leading supplier of small and micro satellites, whilst the University retains the benefit of close interaction with SSTL and its new partner EADS Astrium. By retaining a small stake in SSTL the University shows its commitment to both the future of the Company and space research itself.”

SSTL is joining EADS Astrium following a decision by the University of Surrey to sell its majority stake of circa 80% in the small satellite manufacturer. SSTL will remain an independent UK company with its individual brand and unique approach to space following the agreement, whilst benefiting from access to the resources of a large corporation including design, manufacturing and test facilities. Astrium will benefit from enhanced links with the University of Surrey to support staff training and development, also leading to greater cooperation and increased research on space technology and systems.

Astrium is one of the world’s leaders for its expertise in space transportation, spacecraft and satellite services including prime contractor for Ariane 5, the Columbus space laboratory and the Automated Transfer Vehicle for the International Space Station, and its leading-edge large and complex geostationary telecommunications satellites, and the Skynet 5 secure communications system for the UK Ministry of Defence. SSTL will complement Astrium’s existing space capabilities that include space transportation, satellites and services.

Under the share purchase agreement, SSTL will be owned by EADS Astrium NV in the Netherlands. Completion of the transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant merger control authorities.

The agreement sees long-term research collaboration between the University of Surrey and EADS Astrium and will further advance the University’s cutting edge space research capacity. The collaboration will also allow Astrium to benefit from staff training and development opportunities afforded by the links with the University. The sale will support the already-strong presence that Guildford and the south-east have in the aeronautical and space industries, creating a centre of expertise for space technology. This will allow for the region to benefit from the Government’s commitment to invest in the UK space industry.

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 €3.55 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. In the UK, Astrium employs more than 2,500 space engineers, scientists and technicians.

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 more than 116,000.

Source ASTRIUM.EADS

About SSTL

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) develops innovative technologies to change the economics of space, delivering cost effective satellite missions within rapid timescales. The Company is a recognized world leader in the design, manufacture and operation of high performance small satellites for the international market with experience gained over more than 25 years and 27 missions launched.

SSTL employs 270 staff working on LEO and interplanetary missions, turnkey satellite platforms and space-proven satellite subsystems and optical systems. The Company also provides know-how transfer and training programmes and consultancy services, and performs studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers related to platform design, mission analysis and planning.

About the University of Surrey

The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading professional, scientific and technological universities with a world class research profile and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Ground-breaking research at the University is bringing direct benefit to all spheres of life – helping industry to maintain its competitive edge and creating improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space science, the environment, communications, defence and social policy. Programmes in science and technology have gained widespread recognition and it also boasts flourishing programmes in dance and music, social sciences, management and languages and law. In addition to the campus on 150 hectares just outside Guildford, Surrey, the University also owns and runs the Surrey Research Park, which provides facilities for 140 companies employing 2,700 staff.

The Sunday Times names Surrey as ‘The University for Jobs’ which underlines the university’s growing reputation for providing high quality, relevant degrees.

Supporting graphics for this press release can be downloaded from http://www.ballard.co.uk/sstl/

Audio comment from Sir Martin Sweeting can be downloaded from http://www.engineeringbritain.com/spaced_out/

Audio interview with Professor Christopher Snowden, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive of the University of Surrey is available from http://www.surrey.ac.uk/audio/sstl

EADS Astrium Media Contacts:
Jeremy Close (Astrium UK) Phone: +44 (0)1 438 77 3872
Matthieu Duvelleroy (Astrium FR) Phone: +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 32
Robert Klarner (Astrium GER) Phone: +49 (0) 89 607 29821

http://www.astrium.eads.net

SSTL Media Contacts:
Robin Wolstenholme Phone: +44 (0) 1 30 688 22 88
Stephen Ballard Phone: +44 (0) 1 30 688 22 88
http://www.sstl.co.uk

University of Surrey Contacts:
Nick Bishop Phone: +44-(0) 20 7438 4916, Phone: +44-(0) 77 36 067 190
Peter La Phone: +44 (0) 1 483 689191
http://www.surrey.ac.uk

Infoterra Ltd to map overhead powerline network for E.ON Central Networks

Infoterra Ltd, a leader in the provision of geospatial products and services, has been awarded a contract from E.ON Central Networks to map its overhead powerline network for Leicestershire. E.ON Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, and its staff will take advantage of this highly accurate network map to carry out detailed and rapid initial surveys from their desktops.

Infoterra will use high-resolution GeoPerspectives stereo imagery to map the precise powerline pole locations, pole heights, span lengths and the exact network length. This detailed mapping will help E.ON Central Networks initial assessment of risks which could adversely impact powerline operation and improve powerline pole renewal/maintenance projects.

“E.ON Central Networks is one of the UK’s leading Distribution Network Operators, and we are constantly looking for innovative ways to improve our internal business processes and the strategic management of our network,” commented Robert Ferris, Innovation Manager for E.ON Central Networks. “Thanks to the high level of detail in Infoterra’s mapping solution we will have invaluable information for our ongoing asset management.”

Dr Andy Wells, Director of Sales for Infoterra Ltd, added: “Major utility operators such as E.ON Central Networks are increasingly recognising the importance of holding accurate records and detailed information about all their assets. Thanks to the accuracy of our geospatial data we can provide organisations with the ability to carry out detailed site surveys straight from the desktop, removing the requirement for numerous on-site visits, particularly in off-road locations.”

About Infoterra Ltd
Infoterra Ltd is a leading provider of geographic information products and services. Its portfolio of geographic information solutions includes airborne and satellite data acquisition, geo-information creation, database management and outsourced hosting. Infoterra provides geospatial knowledge to companies worldwide to help them make informed decisions. The company has major customers in utilities, insurance, engineering, agriculture, defence and oil, gas & mineral exploration.

Infoterra Ltd. is part of the Infoterra Group, which comprises companies in France, Germany and Spain, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium Ltd, an EADS company.

www.infoterra.co.uk

About E.ON Central Networks
E.ON Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations. E.ON Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast. E.ON Central Networks Is part of E.ON one of the UK’s leading power and gas companies – generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas – and is part of the E.ON group, the world’s largest investor-owned power and gas company.

For more information contact
Sarah Haslam, Infoterra Ltd, +44 (0)116 273 2300,
Cheryl Billson, PR for Infoterra, +44 (0)7791 720460, cheryl.billson@commacomms.com

NPA has become part of the Fugro Group

Fugro is the world’s pre-eminent group of companies offering services in the geo-sciences. Fugro supply information about the earth’s surface, soils and rocks to the oil, mining, survey and construction sectors, working on land, at sea and from the air, and as from today – by satellite!

The Fugro Group is based in Holland and comprises more than 300 operating companies in 50 countries employing 12,000 people.

NPA will continue to operate as a discrete company from Crockham Park, with David Morten as Managing Director and our focus will remain on building existing client relationships and services in the exploration and civil engineering fields. Nigel Press will remain as Chairman.

However, NPA also expect to benefit from the wide-ranging synergies that exist with other Fugro companies particularly in the oil & gas and mining sectors, and of special importance will be the possibility of better outreach with NPA InSAR services into areas such as reservoir monitoring, geodetic survey, tunneling, infrastructure management and groundworks which are already extensively covered by Fugro group companies around the world. Nigel Press will in particular be involved with exploring opportunities for these synergies and developing new methods and application areas for using satellite data for the geosciences and earth resource management.

NPA is the longest established satellite mapping specialist in Europe, founded by Nigel Press in 1972. NPA specialize in the interpretation of satellite imagery for exploration and geo-science applications, and in recent years have developed particular expertise in the exploitation of satellite radar imagery for offshore exploration and onshore geo-hazards investigation.

Contacts
For more information please contact:
Chairman Nigel Press or
Managing Director David Morten

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 865023

GOCE project presented to the Media in European Space Agency’s (ESA) centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands.

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 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 (PASW) Module Test. The PASW software components’ module testing activities included:

  • Statement and decision coverage;
  • Robustness testing of global data and parameters;
  • Checking for unused and unreachable source code;
  • Code inspections and reporting.

“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 Bruno Carvalho, Business Development Manager for Space.

About Critical Software S.A.

Critical Software is an international company that provides solutions, services and technologies for mission and business critical information systems. The company was established in 1998, is headquartered in Coimbra, has offices in Porto and Lisbon (Portugal) and subsidiaries in Southampton (UK), San Jose (US) and Bucharest (Romania). Critical Software supports customers across several vertical markets including Aerospace, Defence & Homeland Security, Manufacturing, Telecom & Media, Government, Finance & Insurance and Energy & Utilities and among its customers are high profile companies such Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, Infineon, AgustaWestland, NASA and the European Space Agency among many others renowned companies. Critical Software has been listed, by Business Week, as one of the Top 500 Hot Growing companies in Europe. 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.