Category: Member News

Toulouse, 21 July 2005

Spot Image and ImageONE have signed a
commercial partnership agreement giving ImageONE exclusive rights to
distribute FORMOSAT-2 data to the entire Japanese market. The agreement
also grants three minutes per day priority reservation of the
satellite’s resources on the orbit west of Japan.

“The energy and enthusiasm that ImageONE
has shown in the distribution of SPOT products in Japan convinced us
that they are the best partner to promote FORMOSAT-2,” said Hervé
Buchwalter, Chairman & CEO of Spot Image. “The data from this new
satellite will reinforce the success of efforts to promote SPOT 5, for
which we also signed in 2002 an exclusive agreement for the national
security market.”

Japan’s space programmes
reflect its strong interest in satellite-based Earth observation and
are spurring development of thematic applications. Japan has been the
biggest user of SPOT imagery in the Asia-Pacific region for several
years now.

“With its daily 2m imaging capability over
territories surrounding Japan, FORMOSAT-2 will certainly become an
attractive data source for Japanese customers. FORMOSAT-2 will also
serve as a good complementary data source to SPOT-5 for the territories
surrounding Japan,” explained Hiroshi Nashimoto, President of ImageONE.

The FORMOSAT-2 Earth-observation satellite was launched by Taiwan’s
National Space Organization (NSPO), the country’s space agency, in May
2004. It provides black-and-white images at two-metre resolution and
colour images at eight-metre resolution. The NSPO has chosen Spot Image
as exclusive global distributor of FORMOSAT-2 products and services
outside Taiwan and China.

The Spot Image group is headquartered in
Toulouse, France, has five subsidiaries and three offices. It draws on
a global network of ground receiving stations, channel partners and
distributors to provide users with multi-resolution optical and radar
imagery. The density of this network makes it possible to bring
solutions and support to public- and private-sector decision-makers
anywhere in the world.

ImageONE Co. Ltd has
been active in the Japanese Earth-observation market as a supplier of
EO satellite ground receiving stations for over 10 years. Today, the
company distributes EO satellite data, related equipment and software,
and value-added information for decision-making and project support
services. It is the only comprehensive solution provider in the
Japanese EO market.

For further information
Spot Image Global Communications

France: Corporate Communications – Tel: +33 (0)5 62 19 40 10
Anne-Marie.Bernard@spotimage.fr
United States: Clark Nelson –

Tel: +1 (0)703 715 3131
nelson@spot.com

Japan: ImageONE –

Tel: +81 359082800

http://www.spotimage.fr

http://www.imageone.co.jp/

http://www.nspo.org.tw/e60/menu0400.html

(Credits Spot Image)

Toulouse – July 1, 2005 –

At the meeting of its Board of Directors
22 June, Spot Image named Hervé Buchwalter as its new Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, as of 1 July. He succeeds Jean-Marc Nasr who
lead the company since 2001 and who is moving to a new position within
the EADS group.

Hervé Buchwalter, 45, joined Matra Espace
in 1983. He occupied a series of management positions in the field of
Earth observation systems, particularly on the French and European SPOT
5, Envisat and METOP programmes, by which time the company had become
EADS Astrium. Prior to joining Spot Image, Mr. Buchwalter was Head of
International Business Development within the Earth Observation,
Navigation and Science Business Division of Astrium, a position he held
since 1999. While there, several satellite contracts were won,
including FORMOSAT-2 (Taiwan), KOMPSAT-2 (Korea), THEOS (Thailand) and
recently COMS (Korea), making EADS Astrium leader in this field.

A graduate of the Ecole Centrale de
Paris, he completed his Executive Masters of Business Administration
(MBA) in 2000, from the CPA (Centre de Perfectionnement aux Affaires)
Programme offered by HEC, the top business school in France.

“I wish to praise the excellent work of my predecessor and the
worldwide staff of the Spot Image group over the last few years,”
stated Hervé Buchwalter. “ The business strategy has resulted in our
strong leadership position in the global Earth observation industry. My
goal is to strengthen this leadership with our new partner satellite
FORMOSAT-2, to help ensure international distribution of THEOS and
TerraSAR-X and to develop new partnerships. One of our most exciting
challenge will be to prepare for our high resolution Pleiades
constellation, scheduled for first launch in 2008, working closely with
CNES. And I know that I can count on the experience and motivation of
everyone in the Spot Image group to achieve these goals, and to
continue our global leadership.”

Spot Image is the commercial operator of
the SPOT system, with nearly 20 years’ experience as a provider of
satellite data. The company generates 75% of its revenues outside
Europe.

Through its headquarters in France, five subsidiaries in Australia,
China, Japan, Singapore and the United States, three offices in Brazil,
Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, and a global network of receiving
stations, channel partners and distributors, Spot Image supplies
geographic information derived from optical and radar satellite imagery
to users in the private and public sectors all over the world.

(Credits Spot Image)

The creation of these two new companies
represents a great opportunity for their growth. Their common
objectives will be to consolidate leadership in telecommunication
satellite systems and services, to acquire a strong position in the
most important European programs, such as Galileo and GMES, and to
strengthen space defence and security, as well as observation,
exploration and science.

Alcatel Alenia Space, of which Alcatel
holds 67% and Finmeccanica 33%, now combines the activities of Alcatel
Space and Alenia Spazio. It focuses on the design, development, and
manufacturing of space systems, satellites, payloads, orbital
infrastructures and space transportation, instruments and associated
ground systems for civilian and military applications. The operational
headquarters of Alcatel Alenia Space are located in Cannes, France,
with plants in France, Italy, Belgium and Spain. With estimated 2004
sales of 1.8 billion euros and around 7,200 employees, it is the
European leader in satellite systems.

Telespazio Holding, of which Finmeccanica holds 67% and Alcatel 33%,
combines Telespazio with Alcatel Space Services and Operations
activities. It concentrates on operations and services for satellite
solutions, which include control and exploitation of space systems as
well as value-added services for networking, multimedia and earth
observation. Its headquarter is located in Rome, Italy with plants in
Italy, France and Germany. With estimated 2004 sales of 350 millions
euros and around 1,400 people, it is a key player in the space services
market.

Alcatel and Finmeccanica will account for
Alcatel Alenia Space and Telespazio Holding using proportional
consolidation. The creation of the new companies has a cash/debt impact
of EUR109m for the two companies’ shareholders.

Alcatel and Finmeccanica also announced
today the nomination of the senior management responsible for each of
the two European space companies:

Alcatel Alenia Space:

Mr. Giorgio Zappa, Chief Operating Officer Finmeccanica,
will hold the position of Chairman of the supervisory board of Alcatel
Alenia Space.

Mrs. Pascale Sourisse will hold the position of President and CEO of this new company.

Telespazio:

Mr. Olivier Houssin, Executive Vice President of Alcatel and
President of its Private Communications Group that includes Alcatel‘s
Space activities, will hold the position of Chairman of the board of
directors of Telespazio Holding.

Mr. Giuseppe Veredice will hold the position of CEO of this new company.
For the purposes of this transaction, Alcatel was advised by BNP Paribas, while Finmeccanica was advised by Lazard.

About Alcatel

Alcatel provides communications solutions
to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and
enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their
customers or employees. Alcatel brings its leading position in fixed
and mobile broadband networks; applications and services, to help its
partners and customers build a user-centric broadband world. With sales
of EURO 12.3 billion and 56,000 employees in 2004, Alcatel operates in
more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the
Internet: http://www.alcatel.com

About Finmeccanica, S.p.A.

Finmeccanica
is Italy‘s leading high-tech company, operating in the design and
manufacture of helicopters, civil and military aircraft,
aerostructures, satellites systems and space infrastructure, satellite
services, command and control systems, defence electronics and systems,
communications, security and IT. Finmeccanica participates in some of
the largest international programmes in the sector through
well-established alliances with European and American partners.
Finmeccanica also boasts significant manufacturing assets and skills in
the transport and energy sectors. With operations in Italy and abroad, it
employs around 51,000 staff in total. Finmeccanica spends 16% of its
revenues on research and development. For more information, please
visit http://www.finmeccanica.it

(Credits Alcatel & Finmeccanica)

Spacedat, a high technological applied research company that uses
state of the art innovative satellite and G.I.S instruments, continues
investing on industrial research.

As a result, an innovative satellite-based
mapping system is being developed to provide near real time data to
emergency service managers across Italy. The integrated mapping system
will allows users to identify fire locations, earthquakes, landslides
and flooding risk zones, as well as, areas that pose a potential risk
to communities and property.

The system works by correlating different
environmental risks factors, using optical and radar satellites
together with near real time meteorological data. This allow us to
create dynamic risk maps and provide warning updates.

The integrated system builds upon
“SENTINEL hot spots”, a web G.I.S application developed using satellite
data to localise fires and create a perimeter of burnt areas. The
prototype version was produced with the international cooperation of
CSIRO Australia, NASA and the University of Maryland, setting the basis
to encourage the participation of national and international research
centers in the development of the integrated system.

Currently we are on the final phase in
which algorithms are being strengthen and validated. The strongest
algorithm are on their way to being patented, as we believe that the
integrated system could be replicated in different parts of the world,
serving as a tool to prevent, manage environmental risks and to
evaluate the post crisis effect.

Spacedat looks forward to establish
further links with private companies and research institutions in order
to keep on transforming research into new applications and services
with a high technological contents.

Contact Spacedat at:

Via Duca degli Abruzzi 57 Lecce 73100
Tel./Fax (0039)0832308505
info@spacedat.com

(Credits Spacedat)

Munich, Germany, July 1, 2005 – Definiens AG today announced an
agreement with Sinclair Knight Merz, an Australia-based professional
services firm, to serve as a reseller of eCognition products for
Australia and New Zealand.

For both Definiens and Sinclair Knight
Merz, this partnership is key to their mutual goal of providing cutting
edge remote sensing technologies and services to the widest range of
organizations.

“Australia and New Zealand
represent essential and potentially huge markets for our software
technologies,” says Markus Heynen, Definiens’ Manager International
Sales & Marketing – Geospatial Solutions.” By joining with Sinclair
Knight Merz, a reputed, well positioned organization with vast
experience and expertise in delivering Geospatial solutions, we are
confident that Definiens technologies will make further significant
inroads.”

“We see this as a way to provide our clients with imagery software that
performs satellite image classification more intelligently, more
accurately and more efficiently than traditional classification
methods. Definiens award winning software offers a completely new,
unique approach to image classification allowing SKM to offer a proven
software tool with high resolution satellite imagery acquisitions,”
says John Cazani, SKM‘s Business Manager – DigitalGlobe. “This new
relationship with Definiens reinforces our ability to provide clients
with an imagery solution as part of our spatial services business. As
the available resolution of satellite imagery improves, we now have the
ability to offer a toolset that delivers high quality imagery products
and services.”

About Definiens

Founded in 2000 in München, Germany by
nobel laureate Dr. Gerd Binnig, Definiens is the sole provider of
object-oriented image classification software and associated services.
Our core invention is the proprietary eCognition. eCognition represents
a quantum leap in the realms of digital remote sensing image analysis
making it possible to handle complex classification problems which
require the consideration of local context information. eCognition
greatly accelerates existing workflow wherever digital image data is in
use. Above all it commences a paradigm shift opening endless new
possibilities and applications for image analysis. We remain committed
to being the leader in the development of image analysis technology far
into the future through continuous research and development.

About Sinclair Knight Merz

Sinclair Knight Merz Group is a leading
global professional services firm working with public and private
sector clients across several chosen market areas. Services include
engineering, scientific studies, planning, economics, logistics,
architecture, geotechnical engineering, project management and spatial
information. Sinclair Knight Merz Spatial Sector works with clients to
plan, design, build and integrate complex information management
systems, with an aim to enhancing their client‘s operational
efficiency, management effectiveness, and decision-making and planning
capabilities. We provide leading edge services encompassing Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) , photogrammetry , remote sensing , surveying
, data conversion , mapping and spatial databases .

(Credits Definiens)

Paris, 7 July 2005

EADS Defence and Communications Systems (DCS) has just signed a
contract worth 19.3 million euros with the Vietnamese Ministry of
Natural Resources and the Environment for the turnkey provision of a
complete environmental and natural resources monitoring system, to be
operated by the national Centre for Remote Sensing in Vietnam.

The integrated system to be supplied by
EADS DCS consists of a receiving station for satellite images from SPOT
and ENVISAT, a centre for the processing and distribution of images,
and 15 specialised application systems for operational and research
purposes. These systems will be installed on the premises of the main
public operators, namely Vietnamese ministries and other project
partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the
Ministry of Fisheries, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the
Environment, the national civil defence agency and the Vietnam
Petroleum Institute.

The fifteen applications will be employed
in such activities as risk prevention and support for emergency rescue
services, the observation and planning of agricultural land use for the
cultivation of major crops including rice, the surveillance of maritime
and coastal zones, research in connection with the preservation of
resources in inland waters and forests, and geological studies for the
petroleum and mining industries.

The project is expected to last 3 years,
including installation of the system, training, technical assistance, a
variety of pilot projects in each field of application, and assisting
the system’s future owners with the development of their national
centre for remote sensing.

It is one of the most comprehensive and
innovative projects of its type ever to have been launched in Asia, and
forms the extension of a scientific and technological co-operation
agreement in the field of remote sensing that was concluded between
France and Vietnam in 1990, in which EADS has always played a key
partnership role.

The Defence and Communications Systems
(DCS) Business Unit is the “Systems House” of EADS and is an integrated
part of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division (DS)”

EADS Defence and Security Systems, with
revenues of about € 5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 24,000 employees
across ten nations, forms the defence pole within EADS. It offers
integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed
forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of
military aircraft, missile systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors
and avionics, and related services.

EADS is
a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004,
EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of
about 110,000.

Press contacts:

Brigitte Faure

EADS Defence and Communications Systems

78063 Saint Quentin Yvelines Cédex France

Phone: +33 (0)1.34.60.71.70

Fax: + 33 (0)1 34 60 81 12
Brigitte.faure@eads.com

Michael Meissner

EADS Defence and Communications Systems

81663 München, Germany

Phone: +49 89 607 34850

Fax: +49 89 607 34801
Michael.meissner@eads.com

(Credits EADS Space)

European Space Imaging announced that the company has started the
distribution of imagery from the new IRS-RESOURCESAT-1 satellite to
customers in Europe and North Africa. RESOURCESAT-1 collects imagery at
resolutions ranging from 5 to 60 meter which complements European Space
Imaging’s product suite of very high resolution IKONOS imagery of up to
80 cm resolution.

The distribution of RESOURCESAT-1 imagery
by European Space Imaging is made possible through an agreement with
Euromap of Neustrelitz, Germany. Euromap is the company responsible for
the reception and distribution of imagery from the Indian Remote
Sensing programme in Europe. The company started systematic reception
and processing of RESOURCESAT-1 imagery over Europe in March of this
year and has collected IRS-1C and 1D data since 1996.

The RESOURCESAT-1 satellite was successfully launched into sun
synchronous orbit on October 17, 2003 with a planned mission life of
five years. RESOURCESAT-1 continues the high quality service provided
by IRS-1C/D but with vastly enhanced data quality delivered by three
improved multispectral cameras. A solid state onboard recorder ensures
global coverage. Since November 2004, Euromap directly collects
RESOURCESAT-1 data over Europe and North Africa through their ground
station in Neustrelitz.

RESOURCESAT-1 allows simultaneous acquisition of multispectral data at
swath widths ranging from 600 via 140 to 23 km and spatial resolutions
from 60 via 20 to 5 m respectively. This unique combination of sensors
makes RESOURCESAT-1 data the ideal solution for a full range of remote
sensing applications including land use mapping, agricultural
monitoring, disaster assessment and many more.

The multispectral scanner LISS-III (140 km swath) is ideally suited to
fill in the absence of a fully operational Landsat ETM. “During its
eight years of operation Euromap has built an excellent reputation of
delivering quality products from the IRS 1C and 1D systems”, says
Adrian Zevenbergen, European Space Imaging’s General Manager. “The
addition of IRS products to our product portfolio allows us to offer
our customers and resellers the major range of spatial and spectral
properties that the remote sensing business community currently
requires.”

“European Space Imaging’s sales channels
and market reach will help us to quickly introduce our RESOURCESAT
products and opens also further project opportunities for Euromap’s
parent company GAF”, says Dr. Rupert Haydn, Managing Director of
Euromap and CEO of GAF AG.

“We are convinced that joining the resources of both companies will
expand the use of IRS imagery in various earth observation projects
throughout Europe and North Africa.”

About European Space Imaging

European Space Imaging is the pre-eminent
supplier of high quality, high-resolution, global IKONOS satellite
imagery and derived information products to customers in Europe.
European Space Imaging is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and is a
commercial Regional Affiliate of Space Imaging Inc. from Colorado, USA.
European Space Imaging‘s imagery product line is derived from IKONOS,
the world‘s first commercial high-resolution imaging satellite.
Launched in September 1999, IKONOS has revolutionized the geographical
information industry. With a ground resolution of just 82 centimeter,
and positional accuracy of 1 meter horizontally, this represents the
most accurate satellite imagery data currently available to commercial
users.

About Euromap

Euromap
Satellitendaten-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH was founded in 1996 as a 100%
owned subsidiary of GAF AG creating an efficient commercial structure
to receive, archive and market satellite earth observation data in
Germany. Experience and expertise in data reception and processing is
optimally combined with marketing and distribution activities –
providing the essential conditions for supporting a growing user-market
in remote sensing data. Euromap GmbH is located in Neustrelitz,
Germany.

Point of contact for media:

European Space Imaging GmbH

Nadine Paraton, MarketingManager Phone: +49 – (0) 89 13 014 2-55

Fax: +49 – (0) 89 13 014 2-22

Email: nparaton@euspaceimaging.com

(Credits European Space Imaging)

The Electric Lamb Mission is working to bring disaster relief to the December 26th tsunami survivors in the most remote parts of Sumatra‘s Aceh province, areas that are nearly impossible to reach by land and air. A “sea bridge” has been built to Aceh, allowing relief to reach a hundred thousand survivors who are homeless, hurt, hungry, traumatized, and forgotten in the remote coastal areas of northwest Sumatra.The operations are supported daily by weather forecasts provided by ARGOSS. Satellite scatterometer wind measurements are used correct and update the wind field data that drive the wave forecast model.

For more information see www.argoss.nl or www.electriclamb.org .

NPA’s partner Precision Terrain Surveys Ltd. is active in a UK
flying programme, gathering elevation data for applications from flood
event modelling to 3D city modelling. Their dedicated survey aircraft
carries ‘ArTEMIS’, the in-house Airborne Terrain Elevation Mapping
Scanner, whilst PTS software filters land cover to differentiate ‘bald
earth’ Digital Terrain Models and surface-cover height. Ownership of
system design and engineering, aircraft and operation enables PTS to
rapidly deliver results to customers often within a day or two from
acquisition.

More information.

MIRAS instrument on SMOS mission. Credits : EADS CASA Espacio

Madrid, April 12, 2005: SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission)
is an Earth observation satellite which will enhance our knowledge of
the water cycle of the planet and will allow a better understanding of
the climatic changes in order to protect the environment.

The Secretary General of Industry, Mr. Joan Trullén, the Director of
CDTI (Centro para el desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial) Mr. Maurici
Lucena, the Presidente of EADS CASA Mr. Francisco Fernández Sáinz, as
well as the Managing Director of EADS Astrium Spain Mr. Pedro Méndez,
chaired this event, presenting the structural and electrical models of
the sole instrument on board the satellite.

EADS Astrium Spain signed the contract to build the satellite’s
instrument on June of 2004 (amounting to 61 million euros, 33 of which
would go to the Spanish industry), leading a team of companies of the
Spanish space sector and other European countries. All of them
contributing with their high technological expertise to the development
of this remote sensing instrument without precedent. The project
management represents a great challenge, since it must combine a large
industrial array with the stringent exigencies of the scientific
community.

The CDTI, an organism of the Ministry of Industry and Spanish
delegation to ESA, has played a key role in the financing of this
project, the one with the most important technological and industrial
scope ever developed in Spain for the European Space Agency (ESA).

This project, as part of ESA ‘s second Earth Explorer mission of its
Living Planet Programme, will measure the soil moisture and the
salinity of the oceans by means of the radiometric instrument presented
today. These two parameters are of key interest to scientists in order
to prepare atmospheric, oceanographic and hydrological prediction
models. Salinity for instance, influences the ocean circulation, which
create weather phenomena such as El Niño or La Niña, that can cause
floods or droughts. The evaporation and filtration of water depend on
the degree of moisture in the soil and the water content of vegetation,
which are key elements in understanding the hydrological cycle and
monitoring the fresh water reserves of the planet.

The SMOS satellite will be put in orbit in March of 2007 with a Rockot launcher