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At the end of 2006 and during 2007, Remote Sensing Application Center – ReSAC Bulgaria investigated the possibilities for orthorectification of FORMOSAT-2 scenes with two well established software packages in the geospatial industry – ERDAS IMAGINE and PCI Geomatica.

ReSAC worked closely with MARS-PAC and CID actions in the Agrifish unit for IPSC, DG JRC, responsible for the technical support of the “Control with Remote Sensing” (CwRS) – a European Commission Service programme for monitoring the agricultural subsidy claims with a strong deterrent effect on potential frauds. Because of the EU accelerative enlargement the number of sites to be controlled increases dramatically. Hence, JRC intended to include several more satellite sensors in order to increase the acquisition capacity and to ensure timely delivery of the necessary imagery to the MS administrations and their contractors.

JRC decided to investigate more thoroughly the usability of FORMOSAT-2, from geometric accuracy point of view, for the CwRS campaign.

From the very beginning ReSAC has played an important role in this research working in close collaboration with JRC, along with other companies such as SPOT Image (France) and Spacemetric AB (Sweden). The work followed the JRC best practices related to the conduction of the overall test set and the accuracy evaluation (Common Technical Specifications for the 2006 Campaign of Remote Sensing Control of Area-Based Subsidies, ITT no. 2005/S 233-229332, Ispra, 2005).

ReSAC has been responsible for the investigation of the best methodologies for FORMOSAT-2 imageries orthorectification in the environment of ERDAS Imagine and PCI Geomatica software suites. In general the research was carried in two phases – in the first the overall models’ functionalities and the positional accuracy of the ortho-products were studied, while in the second, the effect of the incidence angle over the final quality of the orthoimageries was in focus. The results from the first phase of the project were presented at the Toulouse Conference in November 2006 (Orthorectified Formosat-2 data performance in the CwRS campaign 2006 and future applications. JRC, ReSAC et al., 2007) and are published in the special publications edition of the conference reports.

In both phases of this thorough research over the orthorectification of FORMOSAT-2 scenes, ReSAC participated also with its geodetically precise database of DGPS point measurements. They were used primarily in the quality control carried over the orthorectification outputs. As a source for independent check points (and also ground control points – GCPs), satellite orthophotos from Ikonos and QuickBird images processed by ReSAC were also used. They were needed in order to assess the influence of the accuracy of the GCPs on the final orthophoto accuracy.

For the second phase of the JRC’s study, two sites were acquired two times each, with different incidence angles. One of the test areas was Sozopol, Bulgaria and the second was Mausanne, France. As already stated, for each test site two PAN images were available, but each was taken with different off-nadir angles – similar across track and various along track angles.

Location of the test areas: (a) Two test areas in Bulgaria – Sofia area on the left and Sozopol area on the right; (b) Mausanne area in France

The technical part of the second phase of the study is completed, but the results are currently being systematised and summarised. The results of the study will be presented on the Annual MarsPAC Conference 2007 “Geomatics in support of the CAP” which will be held in Madrid, Spain on 12th-14th Nov 2007.

Another related study that ReSAC undertook was exploring the potential influence of different DEMs to the quality of the final ortho-products.

Because the quality of an input DEM might affect the positional accuracy of the orthorectified imageries, ReSAC carried an individual research over the Sofia city scene, used in the first phase of the FORMOSAT-2 study, with various DEMs. One of these elevation models was provided from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and more specifically the SIR-C sensor, where the sampling points were distributed on a grid with an approximate spacing of 70×90m at the latitude of Bulgaria. Another DEM used was Reference3D – a product of Spot Image with a sampling distance of 30m for the area of Sofia. The last two DEMs in this study were derived from analogue topographic maps for civil use of different scale, 1/50,000 and 1/25,000, that were brought in digital format. The spatial resolution of the DEMs produced from the topographic maps in scale 1/50,000 and 1/25,000 is 30m and 15m respectively (TOPO50 and TOPO25).

The results of this study will be presented in the poster session on the Annual MarsPAC Conference 2007 “Geomatics in support of the CAP”, as well as a report will be given on the International Symposium “Modern Technologies, Education and Professional Practice in Geodesy and Related Fields” organised by the Union of Surveyors and Land Managers in Bulgaria on 9-10 Nov 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria. The full report will be available in the symposium proceedings.

Future work envisaged by ReSAC, using FORMOSAT-2 data, include testing the influence of different DEMs on the orthorectification of images with large incidence angle.

For more information:
Remote Sensing Application Center – ReSAC

European Space Imaging are seeking to recruit an experienced, proactive and reliable performer to fill the position of a Sales Manager.

European Space Imaging is Europe’s most successful provider of global high resolution satellite imagery based in Munich, Germany. Since its establishment in 2002, European Space Imaging has consistently shown extraordinary growth and is now selling its IKONOS and Orbview-3 image products to customers in Europe, Russia, CIS countries and North Africa. European Space Imaging sells products through authorized resellers as well as to direct key accounts. European Space Imaging is the European Regional Affiliate of GeoEye, USA. Our European technology partners are the German Aerospace Center DLR and GAF AG.
Facilitating our growth we are seeking to recruit an experienced, proactive and reliable performer to fill the position of a

Sales Manager (M/F)

The position is based in Munich, Germany and reports to the Director Sales and Marketing.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

  • Sell data products through reseller network and to key customers
  • Support, evaluate and expand reseller network
  • Manage internal and external sales processes
  • Develop and manage country and individual sales plans
  • Prepare non-standard offers and proposals
  • Conduct technical product presentations
  • Support reseller network to ensure our partners are equipped with the necessary product knowledge and tools
  • Prospecting new sales opportunities
  • Maintain and expand all customer relationships after the initial sales success
  • Initiate joint marketing activities internally and externally
  • Assist marketing with its efforts to gain customer insight for the purpose of developing new products and campaigns

Your profile is:

  • 3+ years of success in direct and indirect sales environments (preferably in the field of remote sensing/GIS)
  • University degree in geomatics or economics
  • Ability to generate and manage sales accounts directly and indirectly
  • Excellent technical understanding
  • Excellent verbal and written communication, comprehension and presentation skills
  • Excellent command (oral and written) of English (native speakers will be given prior consideration); very good command of French, Italian, Spanish or Russian is a plus.
  • Ability to travel within Europe and North Africa

This is a perfect opportunity to take ownership of a role and become an essential part of a dynamic and growing organization. Interested in pursuing this opportunity? We look forward to receiving your letter and curriculum vitae in English via e-mail with the subject title: Sales Manager

GeoVille Environmental Services sàrl signed a contract with the European Environment Agency for implementing CORINE Land Cover (CLC) 2006 in the West Balkan countries.

GeoVille, together with two partners of the European Topic Centre on Land Use Information, will be responsible for training and capacity building in the region. Further tasks are related to verification and acceptance of the CLC2006 update for Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.
The interpretation of land cover changes in Albania will be carried out by GeoVille Information Systems Gmbh in collaboration with local experts.

GeoVille sàrl has already finished the update of Corine Land Cover for 2006 in Luxembourg. The project encompassed the detection, identification and mapping of all land cover changes above 5 ha between 2000 and 2006. Main changes are related to the regrowth of 2200 ha forested areas after the 1999 winter storm (Lothar) and conversion of about 700 ha to artificial surfaces.

About Geoville

GeoVille is an internationally operating company providing consultancy, services and products related to remote sensing, geo-information and geographic information systems. GeoVille provides value-added services in the land domain with focus on urban, regional and spatial planning applications, environmental surveillance, forestry as well as biodiversity.

Since its establishment in 1998 GeoVille has established a broad international customer base and successfully participated in more than 250 national and international projects located in 45 countries around the world. Registered offices are in Innsbruck, Austria and Mertert, Luxembourg.

GeoVille is certified as a CO2 neutral company.
For more details: www.geoville.com

Deimos-1, next spacecraft to be launched in the DMC has passed its Module Readiness Review, all subsystems ready and tested individually and ready for integration.

With the completion of the imager during the next month, the satellite will start final integration soon. Construction of the Ground Control Centre for Deimos-1 has started in Boecillo, Valladolid, Spain.

Deimos-1 was already featured in previous issues of this magazine. Together with the UK-DMC2, they are the first pair of the second-generation DMC spacecraft built by SSTL, to be launched together next year.

A thorough testing program has just finished at the subsystem level with Deimos-1. Despite of its small size, the spacecraft contains state-of-the-art systems in all areas and will integrate a newly developed imaging system. SSTL’s experience has allowed to provide enhancements in critical components without losing the reliability that has been the characteristic feature of past DMC satellites. Deimos-1, with a total of 12GB solid state on-board storage and a downlink capacity of up to 40 MBPS, is a very respectable addition to the fleet of Earth Observation assets currently in space.

Testing of all subsystems has proceeded at record speed due to the reuse of some components and the evolutionary choice taken for new developments. Additionally, a large part of the integrated tests has already taken place in a “soft stack” configuration, in which modules are fully assembled electrically but are left unfastened mechanically.

The pictures depict the Deimos-1 review team in the integration hall with the satellite, complete except for imager and solar arrays. Pictures of some components are also shown.

The imager, a complete new development with better optical characteristics and smaller pixel size than the original SLIM6, is in advanced phases of EM testing and is scheduled to start FM manufacture in the next month.

Additionally, construction work for the base of the 5,5m antenna at the Ground Control Centre has started and is expected to finish during the first half of October.

Profile

Deimos Imaging SL is an Earth Observation company, with entirely private investors, and its goal is the operation of a complete system including spacecraft, ground station and delivery of finished products and services. Currently it offers a number of very stable products that stem from the research at the Remote Sensing Lab at the University of Valladolid, using scientific as well as commercial satellite data (including current DMC) and is in active preparation of the processing capability to use the data of the new Deimos-1 and UK-DMC2.

Contact

Pedro Duque, Managing Director (info@deimos-imaging.com)

Credits

DMC, SSTL and Deimos Imaging SL.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki recently published studies revealing that over 5000 hectares of fir and pine forest in the Mount Parnitha National Park were destroyed by the recent forest fires.

Nearly half of the forested area surrounding the city of Athens, which was essential in coping with the pollution emitted by the capitals 2.5 million cars, is ruined. Detailed information about the burnt forest area was extracted with the Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence™ Suite. The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki used the Definiens technology to analyze high resolution Ikonos satellite data in combination with a digital elevation model, resulting in very accurate and comprehensive maps about the area. The extent of the environmental damage causes scientists to warn of dire changes to the air quality and temperature of the city.

Forest fires are a major concern, both for environmental and safety reasons, therefore city authorities and government bodies must have complete and accurate information about these fires available quickly. The information is required to better understand the changes in the vegetation, the erosion and to determine the impact on wildlife as well as the duration of regeneration. A detailed report helps officials to gain a deeper understanding of the situation and to make the right decisions based on the best insights available. The information may also be used for subsequent forest renewal projects and subsidy management.

“As dramatic and unfortunate it is, but natural disasters regrettably do happen. Therefore it is of utmost importance that officials have knowledge and insights to respond quickly in order to cope with the destruction,” commented Rene Hermes, Definiens’ Vice President of Marketing. “We are pleased to see the value of the Definiens technology in the management of natural resources and public safety.”

In addition to the surface area of burnt forest, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki generated valuable additional information. Using the Definiens Enterprise Image Intelligence Suite, they automatically assessed the distribution of islands of remaining forest within the large area. “We required detailed and accurate results and insights of the Mount Parnitha forest area in a timely manner. The Definiens technology was critical in analyzing and evaluating the damage,” said Ioannis Gitas, Lecturer at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Result images courtesy of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Ikonos satellite data provided by Geoinformation S.A.

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
Rene Hermes, Vice President Marketing
Email
+49 (0)89 231180-11

Lucy Turpin Communications
Nina Wenske, PR & MarCom Manager
Email
+49 (0)89 417761-13

Critical Software and Instituto de Telecomunicações will develop an innovative technology that allows the detection and classification of vessels based on a new generation of high resolution satellite images.

The aim of this initiative is to control the European external border effectively and according to the activities lead by the European Agency FRONTEX. In Portugal, the control of the Atlantic border is crucial to assure the management and safety of the vessel traffic and the detection of illegal activities. This public/private partnership is financed by Agência da Inovação, which aims to enforce the existing collaboration between the institutions and the Portuguese manufacturing on the strategic domain of the remote detection with satellite images.

Radar sensors on board of satellites can be used to give an independent source of information by any weather condition, during the day and night. Ocean monitoring services based satellite data are already in place but current technology can only perform a rough detection providing uncertain information on size and type of the vessels.

In this project, images acquired by the new TerraSAR-X satellite will be used. TerraSAR-X bears a powerful SAR sensor with unprecedented high spatial resolution. A space based ocean monitoring system will improve safety and security at sea, supporting authorities in case of storms, search and rescue operations, fishery control, and coastal patrol activities.
Among other things, this technology will allow:

  • The detection of floating objects with only a few meters dimension.
  • To classify vessels and provide valuable information concerning the type, speed and activity of the vessel.

The development of this technology will make Critical Software become a reference partner on the development of informatic systems for the safety domain.

Diamantino Costa, Critical Software’s Vice-President states that “The monitoring and surveillance systems are a long-term strategic intake of the company and there are already concrete opportunities of projects in this specific field in Portugal”.

FRONTEX Agency aims to reinforce the border security, assuring the coordination of the Member States’ activities on the application of community measures concerning the management of external borders.

About Critical Software SA

Created in 1998, a Critical Software (www.criticalsoftware.com) is an international systems and software company with headquarters in Coimbra with offices in Lisbon and Oporto (Portugal), San Jose (US) and Southampton (UK). Critical Software supports critical business or mission informatic systems on several markets, including Aeronautics, Defence, Finance Services, Government, Manufacturing, Space and Telecommunications. The company is currently implementing a quality management certificate system – CMMI Level 3, ISO 9001:2000 Tick-IT, ISO 15504, AQAP 2120 and EN9100.

About the Insituto das Telecomunicações

Instituto de Telecomunicações – Telecom Institute (IT) – is a private, non-profit and of public utility institution (associated laboratory) that aggregates five institutions which are experienced in investigation and development on the telecom domain: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) (Technical Superior Intitute); Universidade de Aveiro (UA) (Aveiro University); Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra (FCTUC) (Science and Technology University of Coimbra); Portugal Telecom Inovação (PTIn), (Portugal Telecom Innovation) and Siemens Network SA.

About the TerraSAR-X project

The TerraSAR-X project (http://www.terrasar.de/ ) consists on the development of the radar satellite TerraSAR-X and on the scientific and commercial use of the images and information that it generates. It is the first German satellite built within a public/private partnership between DLR (German Aerospace Agency) and EADS Astrium. The satellite was launched on the past 15th June and the first images were received a week later.

For more information:

Critical Software SA
marcom@criticalsoftware.com
Tel. +351 239 989 100
Fax: +351 239 989 119

Aerodata added a new page to its corporate website: the Map of the Day and samples page.

This section showcases both the high quality of Aerodata high resolution digital aerial photography datasets as well as the new online viewer based on flash technology.

Have a look at http://www.aerodata-surveys.com/showcase.php

For commercial inquiries, please contact us at info@aerodata-surveys.com

GAF AG has been awarded a contract to set-up a new computerised and countrywide mining cadastre system for Nigeria.

After the successful completion of contract negotiations GAF has started work on-site in June 2007. The project aims to improve governance in the mining sector, through the establishment of a transparent system to grant, manage and cancel permits. The efficient and reliable management of mining titles is considered as a backbone to increase investment and growth in the mining sector of Nigeria.
Activities include set-up of the new computerized mining cadastre in Nigeria, training, database generation and institutional strengthening. A key component is the design and development of the computerised mineral titling system SIGTIM which will be especially conceived for the new mining law in Nigeria – for the benefit of the administration, miners, investors as well as the public.
Works will be performed for the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Abuja, Nigeria. The project duration is 12 months, with a subsequent phase of maintenance and support of 12 months. Activities are funded by the World Bank, International Development Association. The contract value amounts to 1 million EUR. The activities in Nigeria follow countries like DRC, Madagascar and Namibia, where GAF has set-up already nation-wide computerised mining titling systems, which are now successfully in operation since several years.
About GAF:
GAF AG is an international company with leading competence and expertise in applied remote sensing and spatial information systems. GAF AG offers a comprehensive portfolio of services ranging from supply of geo-data (e.g. satellite and aerial imagery, digital elevation models), and geo-services (e.g. image processing, thematic mapping, GIS/DBMS applications and software development). GAF AG has a proven track-record in performing technical assistance projects in the overall natural resources sector and delivering customized geological and land information systems.
(Source GAF AG)

GeoID takes part in the RESPOND project.

GeoID takes part in the RESPOND project. Humanitarian aid organisations are supported with geographic information (www.respond-int.org).
GeoID is a young innovative company which provides and further develops geographic information products and services about the environment. GeoID delivers information about land, marine and coastal environments. Our current range of services is suitable for land and coastal management, for support to civil engineering projects and environmental impact assessments. GeoID strives to deliver all this geo-information in an efficient (automated) and understandable way.
(Source GeoID)

Gisat News

Fast-Tracking urban sprawl
Gisat is a member of the European service provider network mapping urban sprawl and soil sealing for Europe by 2008 in challenging project awarded by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Starting May 2007, a European service provider network led by Infoterra GmbH will map built-up areas and soil sealing for Europe. By 2008, the consortium will cover 5.8 mio square kilometres at 20 m resolution for the reference year of 2006.
This challenging project has recently been awarded by the European Environment Agency (EEA) as one of the first seamless pan-European geo-information services within the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The service provider network consists of GeoVille GmbH (Austria), GISAT s.r.o. (Czech Republic), Metria (Sweden), Planetek Italia srl. (Italy), Tragsatec SA (Spain), and is led by Infoterra GmbH (Germany); gathering essential expertise from all over Europe.
Gisat makes it REAL
REmote sensing identification and monitoring of Abandoned Land project aims to explore potential of the state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques for monitoring of land abandonment in the Czech Republic.
The process of land abandonment has become widespread in the last decades in all CEEC reflecting substantial political and economical changes in this period. Nowadays, it represent a serious issue and if not solved in time, the abandonment of productive agricultural lands would further grow. These lands would then gradually degrade together with their cultural landscape, soils will lose their productive potential, and jobs would be lost with consequent further migrations and further land degradation in a vicious circle that would deepen the social and economic problems of these regions. Besides the major social and economical impact, the process of land abandonment can have also serious ecological consequences.
Sustainable use and management of abandoned areas and prevention of abandonement land area enlargement is one of the policy targets both on European [e.g. Agro-Environmental Regulation, Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92, Rural Development Regulation, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1257/99] and national level (e.g. Biodiversity Strategy of Czech Republic [MŽP,2005], Post-accession Rural Policy 2004 – 2013 [MZE, 2005]). Nevertheless, the assessment of the policy strategies requires clear measures based on the figures on status and evolution of abandoned land area. Unfortunately, there are currently no actual statistical data available on the extent of land abandonment so only rough estimates are used (e.g. total area of abandoned land about 300 000 ha, that is 7 percent of the total agricultural area (Ministry of Agriculture, 2001).
The project aims to develop and test new methodology for identification and monitoring of abandoned land via the state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques. Two pilot areas are to be used for demonstration of technically and economically viable solution using object-based classification combining three basic strategies for abandoned land monitoring: spectral (hyperspectral), textural and temporal (both long term and seasonal).
The project is done under the support of the EUPRO programme of Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic in the frame of the ERA-STAR GMES Pilot Project “Brownfields” led by INDRA, Spain.
Gisat has landed in GSE Land
Gisat joins the ESA GMES GSE Land project as the service provider partner.
GSE Land is a project funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) within the European GMES initiative – a joint approach of ESA and the European Commission.
The project responds to a number of European directives and policies and aims to support users across Europe in their efforts of fulfilling their obligations arising from these new developments. In particular in Czech Republic, GSE Land services will address support of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Urban Environment Thematic Strategy (UTS) and the regulations related to the Thematic Strategy on Soil Protection (STS).
GSE Land joins the three proceeding ESA GSE projects that had already worked on land applications and brought these to a status of pre-maturity during the GSE Stage-1 programme:
- SAGE addressing water pollution, water abstraction by irrigation, agri-environmental as well as soil sealing indicators
- GMES Urban Services (GUS) providing urban mapping and monitoring services
- CoastWatch (land part) supporting an integrated coastal zone management
The consortia and their skills have been merged in order to provide a joint portfolio of mature GSE Land Information Services. GSE Land is led by Infoterra GmbH and conducted in close conjunction with numerous complementary activities within other GMES projects.
(Source Gisat)